Pyrimidine derivatives for the treatment of bacterial diseases

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel compounds of formula I: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the integers are as defined in the description. 
     The claimed compounds are useful for the treatment of a bacterial infection. Also claimed is a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, as active ingredient, a therapeutically effective amount of the claimed compounds, the use of the claimed compounds or compositions for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a bacterial infection and a process for preparing the claimed compounds.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of the benefits of the filing of Application Nos. EP 12166140.9 filed Apr. 30, 2012, and PCT/EP2013/058980 (WO2013/164337 A9) filed Apr. 30, 2013. The complete disclosures of the aforementioned related patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

The present invention relates to compounds useful for the treatment of a bacterial disease, in particular diseases caused by a certain non-mycobacterium, Staphylococcus aureus. The compounds may be useful in any mammal (e.g. human or animal). The invention also relates to novel compounds, compositions, processes and uses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bacterial infections are prevalent in the world and there is a high need for compounds that treat bacterial infections. There are several known types/strains of bacteria that exist and it is a particular goal in the medical field to find compounds that are selectively active against certain types/strains of bacteria.

There are already several drugs known that have activity against non-mycobacteria, but there remains a need for such compounds, particularly because bacteria can gain resistance to certain compounds/drugs. Compounds that have selective activity against certain types/strains of bacteria will clearly be advantageous, for instance these compounds may have the advantage that the bacteria cannot build up resistance to other strains of bacteria.

Indeed, the purpose of the present invention is to provide compounds that have selective activity against a particular non-mycobacterium, specifically Staphylococcus aureus.

Certain pyrimidine compounds are publically available or have been disclosed via Chemical Abstracts Service, but such compounds have not had any particular use ascribed to them. International patent application WO 2005/070899 and US patent application US 2005/182073 both disclose certain pyrimidines that may be useful for controlling harmful organisms (for instance organisms that attack plants). International patent application WO 2003/077656 discloses certain pyrimidines that may be useful as antibacterials. These documents only disclose certain types of pyrimidines.

US patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,870 B1 discloses various compounds as sodium/proton exchange inhibitors, but does not disclose such compounds for use in the treatment of bacterial infections. International patent applications WO 2011/073378, WO 2011/060976 and WO 2011/061214 apparently disclose certain compounds for use as antibacterials, but these documents only disclose a limited range of compounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided a compound of formula I for use as medicament/pharmaceutical, wherein formula I represents:

wherein: Y represents:

(ii) —CF₃;

(iii) —N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂ (e.g. —N(CH₃)₂); or (iv) C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl); N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) independently represent —N═ or —C(H)=(or —C(A⁴)=) but wherein only a maximum of three of N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) may represent —N═; n represents 0, 1 or 2 (but preferably represents 0); X¹ and X² independently represent —N— or —C(H)—; when X¹ represents —N—, Q¹ represents a direct bond, —C(O)— or —S(O)₂—; when X¹ represents —C(H)—, Q¹ represents a direct bond or —N(R^(z))—; R^(z) represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R^(x) represents C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A² and A³, respectively); R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) independently represent hydrogen, halo, —CN, —OR¹⁰, —N(R¹¹)(R¹²) or C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms); A¹, A², A³ and A⁴ independently represent halo, —CN, —OR¹, —S(O)₀₋₂C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents), heterocyloalkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from C₁₋₃ alkyl and halo), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from B¹ and B², respectively); each R¹ and R¹⁰ independently represent hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, C₁₋₃ alkyl and —O—C₁₋₃ alkyl); R¹¹ and R¹² independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl;

-   B¹ and B² independently represent halo (e.g. chloro or fluoro), —CN,     C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro)     atoms), —OH or —O—C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more     halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms),     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof

The above-mentioned compounds of formula I (which are useful as medicaments) may be referred to herein as “compounds of the invention”.

The compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those as hereinbefore defined but:

-   -   (a) with the proviso that the compound is not:

or

-   -   (b) wherein Y represents:

-   -   -   (ii) —CF₃; or         -   (iii) C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl).

Pharmaceutically-acceptable salts include acid addition salts and base addition salts. Such salts may be formed by conventional means, for example by reaction of a free acid or a free base form of a compound of formula I with one or more equivalents of an appropriate acid or base, optionally in a solvent, or in a medium in which the salt is insoluble, followed by removal of said solvent, or said medium, using standard techniques (e.g. in vacuo, by freeze-drying or by filtration). Salts may also be prepared by exchanging a counter-ion of a compound of the invention in the form of a salt with another counter-ion, for example using a suitable ion exchange resin.

For the purposes of this invention solvates, prodrugs, N-oxides and stereoisomers of compounds of the invention are also included within the scope of the invention.

The term “prodrug” of a relevant compound of the invention includes any compound that, following oral or parenteral administration, is metabolised in vivo to form that compound in an experimentally-detectable amount, and within a predetermined time (e.g. within a dosing interval of between 6 and 24 hours (i.e. once to four times daily)).

For the avoidance of doubt, the term “parenteral” administration includes all forms of administration other than oral administration.

Prodrugs of compounds of the invention may be prepared by modifying functional groups present on the compound in such a way that the modifications are cleaved, in vivo when such prodrug is administered to a mammalian subject. The modifications typically are achieved by synthesising the parent compound with a prodrug substituent. Prodrugs include compounds of the invention wherein a hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, carboxy or carbonyl group in a compound of the invention is bonded to any group that may be cleaved in vivo to regenerate the free hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, carboxy or carbonyl group, respectively.

Examples of prodrugs include, but are not limited to, esters and carbamates of hydroxy functional groups, esters groups of carboxyl functional groups, N-acyl derivatives and N-Mannich bases. General information on prodrugs may be found e.g. in Bundegaard, H. “Design of Prodrugs” p. 1-92, Elesevier, New York-Oxford (1985).

Compounds of the invention may contain double bonds and may thus exist as E (entgegen) and Z (zusammen) geometric isomers about each individual double bond. Positional isomers may also be embraced by the compounds of the invention. All such isomers (e.g. if a compound of the invention incorporates a double bond or a fused ring, the cis- and trans-forms, are embraced) and mixtures thereof are included within the scope of the invention (e.g. single positional isomers and mixtures of positional isomers may be included within the scope of the invention).

Compounds of the invention may also exhibit tautomerism. All tautomeric forms (or tautomers) and mixtures thereof are included within the scope of the invention. The term “tautomer” or “tautomeric form” refers to structural isomers of different energies which are interconvertible via a low energy barrier. For example, proton tautomers (also known as prototropic tautomers) include interconversions via migration of a proton, such as keto-enol and imine-enamine isomerisations. Valence tautomers include interconversions by reorganisation of some of the bonding electrons.

Compounds of the invention may also contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms and may therefore exhibit optical and/or diastereoisomerism. Diastereoisomers may be separated using conventional techniques, e.g. chromatography or fractional crystallisation. The various stereoisomers may be isolated by separation of a racemic or other mixture of the compounds using conventional, e.g. fractional crystallisation or HPLC, techniques. Alternatively the desired optical isomers may be made by reaction of the appropriate optically active starting materials under conditions which will not cause racemisation or epimerisation (i.e. a ‘chiral pool’ method), by reaction of the appropriate starting material with a ‘chiral auxiliary’ which can subsequently be removed at a suitable stage, by derivatisation (i.e. a resolution, including a dynamic resolution), for example with a homochiral acid followed by separation of the diastereomeric derivatives by conventional means such as chromatography, or by reaction with an appropriate chiral reagent or chiral catalyst all under conditions known to the skilled person.

All stereoisomers (including but not limited to diastereoisomers, enantiomers and atropisomers) and mixtures thereof (e.g. racemic mixtures) are included within the scope of the invention.

In the structures shown herein, where the stereochemistry of any particular chiral atom is not specified, then all stereoisomers are contemplated and included as the compounds of the invention. Where stereochemistry is specified by a solid wedge or dashed line representing a particular configuration, then that stereoisomer is so specified and defined.

The compounds of the present invention may exist in unsolvated as well as solvated forms with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol, and the like, and it is intended that the invention embrace both solvated and unsolvated forms.

The present invention also embraces isotopically-labeled compounds of the present invention which are identical to those recited herein, but for the fact that one or more atoms are replaced by an atom having an atomic mass or mass number different from the atomic mass or mass number usually found in nature (or the most abundant one found in nature). All isotopes of any particular atom or element as specified herein are contemplated within the scope of the compounds of the invention. Exemplary isotopes that can be incorporated into compounds of the invention include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, fluorine, chlorine and iodine, such as ²H, ³H, ¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹³N, ¹⁵O, ¹⁷O, ¹⁸O, ³²P, ³³P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F, ³⁶Cl, ¹²³I, and ¹²⁵I. Certain isotopically-labeled compounds of the present invention (e.g., those labeled with ³H and ¹⁴C) are useful in compound and for substrate tissue distribution assays. Tritiated (³H) and carbon-14 (¹⁴C) isotopes are useful for their ease of preparation and detectability. Further, substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium (i.e., ²H may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability (e.g., increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements) and hence may be preferred in some circumstances. Positron emitting isotopes such as ¹⁵O, ¹³N, ¹¹C and ¹⁸F are useful for positron emission tomography (PET) studies to examine substrate receptor occupancy. Isotopically labeled compounds of the present invention can generally be prepared by following procedures analogous to those disclosed in the Scheme 1 and/or in the Examples herein below, by substituting an isotopically labeled reagent for a non-isotopically labeled reagent.

Unless otherwise specified, C_(1-q) alkyl groups (where q is the upper limit of the range) defined herein may be straight-chain or, when there is a sufficient number (i.e. a minimum of two or three, as appropriate) of carbon atoms, be branched-chain, and/or cyclic (so forming a C_(3-q)-cycloalkyl group). Such cycloalkyl groups may be monocyclic or bicyclic and may further be bridged. Further, when there is a sufficient number (i.e. a minimum of four) of carbon atoms, such groups may also be part cyclic. Such alkyl groups may also be saturated or, when there is a sufficient number (i.e. a minimum of two) of carbon atoms, be unsaturated (forming, for example, a C_(2-q) alkenyl or a C_(2-q) alkynyl group).

C_(3-q) cycloalkyl groups (where q is the upper limit of the range) that may be specifically mentioned may be monocyclic or bicyclic alkyl groups, which cycloalkyl groups may further be bridged (so forming, for example, fused ring systems such as three fused cycloalkyl groups). Such cycloalkyl groups may be saturated or unsaturated containing one or more double bonds (forming for example a cycloalkenyl group). Substituents may be attached at any point on the cycloalkyl group. Further, where there is a sufficient number (i e a minimum of four) such cycloalkyl groups may also be part cyclic.

The term “halo”, when used herein, preferably includes fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

Heterocycloalkyl groups that may be mentioned include non-aromatic monocyclic and bicyclic heterocycloalkyl groups in which at least one (e.g. one to four) of the atoms in the ring system is other than carbon (i.e. a heteroatom), and in which the total number of atoms in the ring system is between 3 and 20 (e.g. between three and ten, e.g between 3 and 8, such as 5- to 8-). Such heterocycloalkyl groups may also be bridged. Further, such heterocycloalkyl groups may be saturated or unsaturated containing one or more double and/or triple bonds, forming for example a C_(2-q) heterocycloalkenyl (where q is the upper limit of the range) group. C_(2-q) heterocycloalkyl groups that may be mentioned include 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl, 6-azabicyclo[3.1.1]heptanyl, 6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]-octanyl, 8-azabicyclo-[3.2.1]octanyl, aziridinyl, azetidinyl, dihydro-pyranyl, dihydropyridyl, dihydropyrrolyl (including 2,5-dihydropyrrolyl), dioxolanyl (including 1,3-dioxolanyl), dioxanyl (including 1,3-dioxanyl and 1,4-dioxanyl), dithianyl (including 1,4-dithianyl), dithiolanyl (including 1,3-dithiolanyl), imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, morpholinyl, 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl, 6-oxabicyclo-[3.2.1]octanyl, oxetanyl, oxiranyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, non-aromatic pyranyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, quinuclidinyl, sulfolanyl, 3-sulfolenyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyridyl (such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridyl and 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridyl), thietanyl, thiiranyl, thiolanyl, thiomorpholinyl, trithianyl (including 1,3,5-trithianyl), tropanyl and the like. Substituents on heterocycloalkyl groups may, where appropriate, be located on any atom in the ring system including a heteroatom. The point of attachment of heterocycloalkyl groups may be via any atom in the ring system including (where appropriate) a heteroatom (such as a nitrogen atom), or an atom on any fused carbocyclic ring that may be present as part of the ring system. Heterocycloalkyl groups may also be in the N- or S-oxidised form. Heterocycloalkyl mentioned herein may be stated to be specifically monocyclic or bicyclic.

Aryl groups that may be mentioned include C₆₋₂₀, such as C₆₋₁₂ (e.g. C₆₋₁₀) aryl groups. Such groups may be monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic and have between 6 and 12 (e.g. 6 and 10) ring carbon atoms, in which at least one ring is aromatic. C₆₋₁₀ aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl and the like, such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl. The point of attachment of aryl groups may be via any atom of the ring system. For example, when the aryl group is polycyclic the point of attachment may be via atom including an atom of a non-aromatic ring. However, when aryl groups are polycyclic (e.g. bicyclic or tricyclic), they are preferably linked to the rest of the molecule via an aromatic ring.

Unless otherwise specified, the term “heteroaryl” when used herein refers to an aromatic group containing one or more heteroatom(s) (e.g. one to four heteroatoms) preferably selected from N, O and S. Heteroaryl groups include those which have between 5 and 20 members (e.g. between 5 and 10) and may be monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic, provided that at least one of the rings is aromatic (so forming, for example, a mono-, bi-, or tricyclic heteroaromatic group). When the heteroaryl group is polycyclic the point of attachment may be via any atom including an atom of a non-aromatic ring. However, when heteroaryl groups are polycyclic (e.g. bicyclic or tricyclic), they are preferably linked to the rest of the molecule via an aromatic ring. Heteroaryl groups that may be mentioned include 3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolinyl, 1,3-dihydroisoindolyl, 1,3-dihydroisoindolyl (e.g. 3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-yl, 1,3-dihydroisoindol-2-yl, 1,3-dihydroisoindol-2-yl; i.e. heteroaryl groups that are linked via a non-aromatic ring), or, preferably, acridinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzodioxanyl, benzodioxepinyl, benzodioxolyl (including 1,3-benzodioxolyl), benzofuranyl, benzofurazanyl, benzothiadiazolyl (including 2,1,3-benzothiadiazolyl), benzothiazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl (including 2,1,3-benzoxadiazolyl), benzoxazinyl (including 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazinyl), benzoxazolyl, benzomorpholinyl, benzoselenadiazolyl (including 2,1,3-benzoselenadiazolyl), benzothienyl, carbazolyl, chromanyl, cinnolinyl, furanyl, imidazolyl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, indazolyl, indolinyl, indolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiaziolyl, isothiochromanyl, isoxazolyl, naphthyridinyl (including 1,6-naphthyridinyl or, preferably, 1,5-naphthyridinyl and 1,8-naphthyridinyl), oxadiazolyl (including 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl and 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl), oxazolyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl (including 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl), tetrahydroquinolinyl (including 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinyl and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolinyl), tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl (including 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl and 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl), thiazolyl, thiochromanyl, thiophenetyl, thienyl, triazolyl (including 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl and 1,3,4-triazolyl) and the like. Substituents on heteroaryl groups may, where appropriate, be located on any atom in the ring system including a heteroatom. The point of attachment of heteroaryl groups may be via any atom in the ring system including (where appropriate) a heteroatom (such as a nitrogen atom), or an atom on any fused carbocyclic ring that may be present as part of the ring system. Heteroaryl groups may also be in the N- or S-oxidised form. Heteroaryl groups mentioned herein may be stated to be specifically monocyclic or bicyclic. When heteroaryl groups are polycyclic in which there is a non-aromatic ring present, then that non-aromatic ring may be substituted by one or more ═O group.

It may be specifically stated that the heteroaryl group is monocyclic or bicyclic. In the case where it is specified that the heteroaryl is bicyclic, then it may consist of a five-, six- or seven-membered monocyclic ring (e.g. a monocyclic heteroaryl ring) fused with another five-, six- or seven-membered ring (e.g. a monocyclic aryl or heteroaryl ring).

Heteroatoms that may be mentioned include phosphorus, silicon, boron and, preferably, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur.

For the avoidance of doubt, where it is stated herein that a group (e.g. a C₁₋₆ alkyl group) may be substituted by one or more substituents (e.g. selected from A¹), then those substituents (e.g. defined by A¹) are independent of one another. That is, such groups may be substituted with the same substituent (e.g. defined by A¹) or different substituents (defined by A¹).

All individual features (e.g. preferred features) mentioned herein may be taken in isolation or in combination with any other feature (including preferred feature) mentioned herein (hence, preferred features may be taken in conjunction with other preferred features, or independently of them).

The skilled person will appreciate that compounds of the invention that are the subject of this invention include those that are stable. That is, compounds of the invention include those that are sufficiently robust to survive isolation from e.g. a reaction mixture to a useful degree of purity.

Compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which there is provided a compound of formula I as defined herein but:

-   provided that when Y represents 2-chloro-phenyl, R^(y1) represents     —OCH₂CH₃, R^(y) and R^(y2) both represent hydrogen, X¹ and X² both     represent N, Q¹ represents a direct bond, then R^(x) does not     represent —C(O)O-tert-butyl.

Preferred compounds of the invention will now be described.

Preferred compounds of the invention include those in which:

-Q¹-R^(x) does not represent —CH₃; for instance, when X represents —N—, and Q¹ represents a direct bond, and R^(x) represents alkyl, then, it preferably represents C₂₋₆ (e.g. C₃₋₆) alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹); when X represents —N— and Q¹ represents a direct bond, then R^(x) preferably represents C₂₋₆ (e.g. C₃₋₆) alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A² and A³, respectively); when R^(x) represents alkyl, then it preferably represents C₂₋₆ (e.g. C₃₋₆) alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹).

Preferred compounds of the invention include those in which:

the following substructure of formula I:

is one in which, preferably: none, one or two of N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) (preferably one, N^(x) or N^(y)) represents —N═ and the others represent —C(H)═ or, e.g. in the case when the above ring represents phenyl, one of N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) represents —C(A⁴)=; when two of N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) represent —N═, then it is preferably N^(w) and N^(y) (so forming a 5-pyrimidinyl group); n represents 0, 1 or 2 (but preferably represents 0); A⁴ (which may be present on any of the carbon atoms of the aromatic ring, including when N^(x)/N^(y)/N^(z) represents —C(H)=) represents halo (e.g. fluoro or bromo), —CN, —OC₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. —OCH₃), —S(O)₂C₁₋₃alkyl, or C₁₋₃ alkyl (optionally containing an unsaturation, so forming e.g. —C≡C), although A⁴ is preferably not present; more preferably, the above sub-structure represents pyrimidinyl or pyridyl (preferably, pyridyl), optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A⁴; most preferably, the above sub-structure represents pyridyl (preferably unsubstituted pyridyl, e.g. 2-pyridyl or, preferably, 3-pyridyl or 4-pyridyl) or substituted phenyl.

In one embodiment of the invention:

Y represents the N^(v) to N^(z)-ring as defined herein (this is the most preferred).

In another embodiment of the invention:

Y represents —N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂ (e.g. —N(CH₃)₂).

In another embodiment of the invention:

Y represents C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl).

In another embodiment of the invention:

Y represents —CF₃.

More preferred compounds of the invention include those in which:

when X¹ represents —N—, Q¹ represents a direct bond; X² represents —C(H)— and X¹ represents —N— (so forming a 4-piperidinyl group); X² represents —N— and X¹ represents —C(H)— (so forming a 1-piperidinyl group); X¹ and X² represent —N—, so forming a piperazinyl group.

Further preferred compounds of the invention include those in which:

A¹ represents heterocycloalkyl (e.g. oxetanyl) or, more preferably, A¹ represents halo (e.g. fluoro), —CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl (e.g. C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), aryl (optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one) substituent(s) selected from B¹), heteroaryl (optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one) substituent(s) selected from B²) or —OR¹; when A¹ represents aryl, then it is preferably phenyl optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one or two) substituent(s) selected from B¹; when A¹ represents aryl substituted by one or more (e.g. one) B¹ substituent(s), then there is at least one substituent located at the meta-position of the phenyl group (and in total, there is preferably one or two B¹ substituents); when A¹ represents optionally substituted heteroaryl, it is preferably a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl group preferably containing one, two or three (e.g. one) heteroatom(s) preferably selected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen (e.g. sulfur and/or oxygen), so forming e.g. a thienyl (e.g. 2-thienyl or 3-thienyl) or a furanyl (e.g. 2-furanyl) group; when A¹ represents optionally substituted heteroaryl, then it is optionally substituted by one or two (e.g. one) substituent(s) selected from B²; when A¹ represents C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, then it is preferably cyclohexyl; B¹ represents halo (e.g. fluoro or chloro), —CN, —OH or C₁₋₃ alkyl (methyl; optionally substituted by one or more halo, e.g. fluoro, atoms, so forming e.g. a —CF₃ group); B² preferably represents C₁₋₄ alkyl (e.g. C₁₋₂ alkyl such as methyl); A¹ represents halo (e.g. fluoro), —CN, thienyl (e.g. 2- or 3-thienyl, such as 3-methyl, 2-thienyl or unsubstituted 3-thienyl), furanyl (e.g. 2-furanyl), C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclohexyl) or —O-phenyl; R¹ represents aryl (e.g. unsubstituted phenyl); when Q¹ represents —N(R^(z))—, then R^(x) represents C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹), so forming e.g. —C(O)—C(H)(CH₃)—O-phenyl; R^(z) represents hydrogen; when Q¹ represents a direct bond or —C(O)—, then R^(x) preferably represents: C₁₋₆ alkyl (e.g. acyclic C₁₋₆ alkyl or C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl) optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and/or A¹, and optionally containing one or more (e.g. one) double bond (so forming a C₂₋₆ alkenyl group) or triple bond (so forming a C₂₋₆ alkynyl group), so forming e.g. —CH₂—C(CH₃)₃, —CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, cyclopropyl, —CH₂—CF₃, —CH₂—C(H)F₂, —CH₂C(CH₃)₂—CN, —C(O)—C(CH₃)₃, —CH₂—CF₂CH₃, —CH₂-[3-methyl, 2-thienyl], —CH₂—C(CH₃)═CHCH₃, —CH₂-[3-fluorophenyl], —CH₂-[3-thienyl], —CH₂-[3-chloro-6-OH-phenyl], —CH₂-[3-hydroxyphenyl], —CH₂-[2-hydroxyphenyl], —CH₂-[2-hydroxy-4-chloro-phenyl], —CH₂-[2-hydroxy-5-chlorophenyl], —CH₂-phenyl, —CH₂-cyclohexyl, —CH₂-[2-thienyl], —CH₂[2-furanyl], —C(O)—C(H)(CH₃)—O-phenyl, —CH₂—C(H)(CH₃)₂, -cyclopropyl, —CH₂-[4-fluorophenyl], —C(O)—C(CH₃)₃, —CH₂-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl), —CH₂-(3-cyanophenyl), —CH₂-(4-cyanophenyl), —CH₂-(2,4-difluorophenyl), —CH₂-(3-methylphenyl), —CH₂-(4-methylphenyl), —CH₂-(2-fluorophenyl), —CH₂-(2-cyanophenyl), —CH₂-(3,4-difluorophenyl), —CH₂-(4-chlorophenyl), —CH₂-(3-chlorophenyl), —CH₂-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl), —CH₂-(2,6-difluorophenyl), —CH₂-(3,5-difluorophenyl), —CH₂—C≡CH or —CH₂—C(CH₂)(3-oxetanyl) (most preferably, R^(x) represents —CH₂—C(CH₃)₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —CH₂—C(H)F₂, —CH₂C(CH₃)₂—CN, —C(O)—C(CH₃)₃ or —CH₂—CF₂CH₃); or R^(x) represents aryl (e.g. phenyl) optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one or two) substituents selected from A², so forming for e.g. unsubstituted phenyl; R¹⁰ represents C₁₋₄ alkyl (e.g. C₁₋₂ alkyl, such as methyl); R¹¹ and R¹² independently represent hydrogen or, preferably, C₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. methyl); either all of R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) represent hydrogen or, more preferably, at least one of R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) (preferably R^(y)) represents a substituent other than hydrogen and the others (preferably R^(y1) and R^(y2)) represents hydrogen (i.e. there is preferably one substituent present on the phenyl ring, preferably in the meta-position); when one of R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) (e.g. R^(y)) represents a substituent, then it is preferably selected from halo, —OCH₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —CN or C₁₋₃ alkyl optionally substituted by one or more fluoro atoms; R^(y) represents hydrogen or, preferably, halo (e.g. fluoro or, preferably, chloro), —OCH₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —CN or C₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. —CH₃) optionally substituted by one or more fluoro atoms (e.g. —CF₃), and most preferably, R^(y) represents —OCH₃ or —CN; R^(y1) represents hydrogen, or, when R^(y) represents hydrogen, may represent a substituent selected from —OCH₃ and C₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. methyl); R^(y2) represents hydrogen, or, when R^(y) and R^(y1) represent hydrogen, may represent a substituent selected from halo (e.g. fluoro) and C₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. methyl); R¹ represents hydrogen; A² and A³ independently represent halo (e.g. chloro) or —OR¹ (e.g. —OH).

Certain compounds of the invention disclosed herein may be novel per se. And hence in a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a compound of formula I:

but wherein: Y represents:

none or one of N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) (preferably one, e.g. N^(x) or N^(y)) represent(s) —N═ and the others represent —C(H)=; n represents 0 or 1; X¹ and X² independently represent —N— or —C(H)—; when X¹ represents —N—, Q¹ represents a direct bond; when X¹ represents —C(H)—, Q¹ represents a direct bond or —N(R^(z))—; R^(z) represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R^(x) represents C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A² and A³, respectively); R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) independently represent hydrogen, halo, —CN, —OR¹⁰, —N(R¹¹)(R¹²) or C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms); A¹, A², A³ and A⁴ independently represent halo, —CN, —OR¹, —S(O)₀₋₂C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents), heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from C₁₋₃ alkyl and halo), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from B¹ and B², respectively); each R¹ and R¹⁰ independently represent hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, C₁₋₃ alkyl and —O—C₁₋₃ alkyl); R¹¹ and R¹² independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; B¹ and B² independently represent halo (e.g. chloro or fluoro), —CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms), —OH or —O—C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with the proviso that the compound is not:

Preferred novel compounds of the invention in accordance with this further aspect of the invention may be those mentioned hereinbefore but in which:

X¹ represents —N—; X² represent —C(H)—; R^(x) represents C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹); A⁴ (which is preferably present on a carbon atom of the phenyl ring, and is preferably in the para-position) represents halo (e.g. fluoro), —CN or —OC₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. —OCH₃); A¹ represents halo (e.g. fluoro), —CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl or —OR¹; either all of R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) represent hydrogen or, more preferably, at least one of R^(y),

R^(y1) and R^(y2) (preferably R^(y)) represents a substituent other than hydrogen and the others (preferably R^(y1) and R^(y2)) represents hydrogen (i.e. there is preferably one substituent present on the phenyl ring, preferably in the meta-position);

when R^(y) is other than hydrogen, it preferably represents halo (e.g. chloro), —OCH₃ or —CN; and/or R¹ represents hydrogen.

In particular, preferred novel compounds of the invention may be the following:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof

Pharmacology

The compounds according to the invention have surprisingly been shown to be suitable for the treatment of a certain non-mycobacterial infection, specifically Staphylococcus aureus. They are therefore useful as medicaments/pharmaceuticals.

Further, the present invention also relates to the use of the compounds of the invention, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof or the N-oxide forms thereof, as well as any of the pharmaceutical compositions thereof as described hereinafter, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a certain non-mycobacterial infection, specifically Staphylococcus aureus.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a patient suffering from, or at risk of, a certain non-mycobacterial infection, specifically Staphylococcus aureus, which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or pharmaceutical composition according to the invention.

Compounds of the invention have not only been shown to be suitable for the treatment of a certain non-mycobaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, but have been shown to selective activity against it. Hence, where “treatment” of a certain non-mycobacterium is referred to herein, it preferably means “selective treatment”, for instance it has activity against that bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus) but may have no or minimal (or less) activity against other bacteria. This may be advantageous as, if the compound/drug is only selective against Staphylococcus aureus, then resistance to other strains cannot be built up and the need for unnecessary antibacterial action is prevented.

Bacterial infections which may be treated by the present compounds include, for example, central nervous system infections, external ear infections, infections of the middle ear, such as acute otitis media, infections of the cranial sinuses, eye infections, infections of the oral cavity, such as infections of the teeth, gums and mucosa, upper respiratory tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, genitourinary infections, gastrointestinal infections, gynaecological infections, septicemia, bone and joint infections, skin and skin structure infections, bacterial endocarditis, burns, antibacterial prophylaxis of surgery, and antibacterial prophylaxis in immunosuppressed patients, such as patients receiving cancer chemotherapy, or organ transplant patients.

Whenever used hereinbefore or hereinafter, that the compounds can treat a bacterial infection it is meant that the compounds can treat an infection with a certain non-mycobacterial infection, specifically Staphylococcus aureus.

The invention also relates to a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, as active ingredient, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to the invention. The compounds according to the invention may be formulated into various pharmaceutical forms for administration purposes. As appropriate compositions there may be cited all compositions usually employed for systemically administering drugs. To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, an effective amount of the particular compound, optionally in addition salt form, as the active ingredient is combined in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. These pharmaceutical compositions are desirable in unitary dosage form suitable, in particular, for administration orally or by parenteral injection. For example, in preparing the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed such as, for example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations such as suspensions, syrups, elixirs, emulsions and solutions; or solid carriers such as starches, sugars, kaolin, diluents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of powders, pills, capsules and tablets. Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit forms in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. For parenteral compositions, the carrier will usually comprise sterile water, at least in large part, though other ingredients, for example, to aid solubility, may be included. Injectable solutions, for example, may be prepared in which the carrier comprises saline solution, glucose solution or a mixture of saline and glucose solution. Injectable suspensions may also be prepared in which case appropriate liquid carriers, suspending agents and the like may be employed. Also included are solid form preparations which are intended to be converted, shortly before use, to liquid form preparations.

Depending on the mode of administration, the pharmaceutical composition will preferably comprise from 0.05 to 99% by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 70% by weight, even more preferably from 0.1 to 50% by weight of the active ingredient(s), and, from 1 to 99.95% by weight, more preferably from 30 to 99.9 by weight %, even more preferably from 50 to 99.9 by weight % of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, all percentages being based on the total composition.

The pharmaceutical composition may additionally contain various other ingredients known in the art, for example, a lubricant, stabilising agent, buffering agent, emulsifying agent, viscosity-regulating agent, surfactant, preservative, flavouring or colorant.

It is especially advantageous to formulate the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage.

Unit dosage form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. Examples of such unit dosage forms are tablets (including scored or coated tablets), capsules, pills, powder packets, wafers, suppositories, injectable solutions or suspensions and the like, and segregated multiples thereof. The daily dosage of the compound according to the invention will, of course, vary with the compound employed, the mode of administration, the treatment desired and the mycobacterial disease indicated. However, in general, satisfactory results will be obtained when the compound according to the invention is administered at a daily dosage not exceeding 1 gram, e.g. in the range from 10 to 50 mg/kg body weight.

Given the fact that the compounds of the invention are active against bacterial infections (e.g. a certain type as defined herein), the present compounds may be combined with other antibacterial agents in order to effectively combat bacterial infections.

Therefore, the present invention also relates to a combination of (a) a compound according to the invention, and (b) one or more other antibacterial agents.

The present invention also relates to a combination of (a) a compound according to the invention, and (b) one or more other antibacterial agents, for use as a medicine.

The present invention also relates to the use of a combination or pharmaceutical composition as defined directly above for the treatment (e.g. selective treatment) of a bacterial infection (e.g. a certain type as defined herein, Staphylococcus aureus).

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, as active ingredient, a therapeutically effective amount of (a) a compound according to the invention, and (b) one or more other antibacterial agents, is also comprised by the present invention, particularly for use in the treatment of a certain bacterial infection as defined herein.

The weight ratio of (a) the compound according to the invention and (b) the other antibacterial agent(s) when given as a combination may be determined by the person skilled in the art. Said ratio and the exact dosage and frequency of administration depends on the particular compound according to the invention and the other antibacterial agent(s) used, the particular condition being treated, the severity of the condition being treated, the age, weight, gender, diet, time of administration and general physical condition of the particular patient, the mode of administration as well as other medication the individual may be taking, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is evident that the effective daily amount may be lowered or increased depending on the response of the treated subject and/or depending on the evaluation of the physician prescribing the compounds of the instant invention. A particular weight ratio for the present compound of formula (Ia) or (Ib) and another antibacterial agent may range from 1/10 to 10/1, more in particular from 1/5 to 5/1, even more in particular from 1/3 to 3/1.

The compounds according to the invention and the one or more other antibacterial agents may be combined in a single preparation or they may be formulated in separate preparations so that they can be administered simultaneously, separately or sequentially. Thus, the present invention also relates to a product containing (a) a compound according to the invention, and (b) one or more other antibacterial agents, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment of a bacterial infection.

General Preparation

The compounds according to the invention can generally be prepared by a succession of steps, each of which is known to the skilled person and/or described below in the following General Schemes:

It is considered within the knowledge of the skilled man to explore the appropriate temperatures, dilutions, and reaction times in order to optimize the above reactions in order to obtain a desired compound.

The compounds of formula I may be converted to the corresponding N-oxide forms following art-known procedures for converting a trivalent nitrogen into its N-oxide form. Said N-oxidation reaction may generally be carried out by reacting the starting material of formula I with an appropriate organic or inorganic peroxide. Appropriate inorganic peroxides comprise, for example, hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal or earth alkaline metal peroxides, e.g. sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide; appropriate organic peroxides may comprise peroxy acids such as, for example, benzenecarboperoxoic acid or halo substituted benzenecarboperoxoic acid, e.g. 3-chlorobenzenecarbo-peroxoic acid, peroxoalkanoic acids, e.g. peroxoacetic acid, alkylhydroperoxides, e.g. tert.butyl hydro-peroxide. Suitable solvents are, for example, water, lower alcohols, e.g. ethanol and the like, hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, ketones, e.g. 2-butanone, halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. dichloromethane, and mixtures of such solvents.

For instance, compounds of formula I in which Y represents the N^(v) to N^(z)-containing ring may be prepared by the following methods:

-   (i) For compounds of formula I in which X¹ represents —N—, reaction     of a compound of formula II,

-   -   wherein N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y), N^(z), X², R^(y), R^(y1),         R^(y2), A⁴ and n are as hereinbefore defined, with:

-   (a) a compound of formula III,

L¹-Q¹-R^(x)  III

-   -   wherein L¹ represents a suitable leaving group, such as chloro,         bromo, iodo or a sulfonate group;

-   (b) for compounds of formula I in which Q¹ represents a direct bond     and R^(x) represents a group attached to Q¹ with a —CH₂—R^(xx)     moiety (in which, collectively, this group represents the R^(x)     moiety),

O═C(H)(R^(xx))  IV

-   -   wherein R^(xx) represents a part of the R^(x) moiety (R^(x)         being hereinbefore defined), and which reaction is performed         under reductive amination reaction conditions, for instance         conditions known to those skilled in the art, e.g. as a reaction         in “one pot”, for instance in the presence of a selective         reducing agent (which reduces the imine intermediate, but not         the aldehyde starting material) such as sodium cyanoborohydride         or, preferably, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, for instance in         the presence of a mild acid (e.g. acetic acid), in a suitable         solvent (e.g. dichloromethane). Alternative conditions may also         be employed, for instance, first a condensation reaction,         followed by reaction in the presence of a reducing agent (which         need not be “imine” selective, e.g. sodium borohydride may be         employed when the reaction is performed in two steps);

-   (ii) for compounds of formula I in which the requisite pyrimidine is     attached to X² in which X² represents —N—, reaction of a compound of     formula V,

-   -   wherein L² represents a suitable leaving group, such as halo         (e.g. chloro), with a compound of formula VI

-   -   wherein X¹, Q¹ and R^(x) are as hereinbefore defined, under         aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction conditions, for         instance such as those known in the art, e.g. in the presence of         a base (such as an organic base, e.g. a dialkylamine base, for         instance N,N-diispropylethylamine);

-   (iii) for compounds in which there is a —CH₂— moiety present,     reduction of a corresponding compound in which there is a —C(O)—     moiety present, in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, e.g.     LiAlH₄;

-   (iv) reaction with a compound of formula VII,

-   -   wherein L³ represents a suitable leaving group (preferably an         amino moiety, such as —N(CH₃)₂), and the integers (e.g. R^(y),         R^(y1), R^(y2), Q¹, R^(x), X¹ and X²)) are as hereinbefore         defined, with a compound of formula VIII,

-   -   or a derivative thereof (e.g. a salt, such as a HCl salt), in         which the integers (e.g. N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y), N^(z), A⁴         and n are as hereinbefore defined), under reaction conditions         that promotes the cyclisation (e.g. in the presence of a base,         such as an inorganic base e.g. tBuOK, and a suitable solvent         such as an alcoholic solvent, e.g. ethanol, which reaction may         be performed at elevated temperature);

-   (v) for compounds containing a —C(F)₂— moiety, reaction of a     corresponding compound containing a —C(O)-moiety, by reaction with     an appropriate “fluoride” reagent (e.g. diethyl amino sulfur     trifluoride; e.g. in the presence of a suitable solvent such as     dichloromethane).

Compounds of formula II may be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula IX,

or a derivative thereof (such as a protected derivative, e.g. protected on the —N(H)-moiety with e.g. a Boc group) wherein the integers (e.g. L³, R^(y), R^(y1), R^(y2), Q¹, R^(x) and X²) are as hereinbefore defined with a compound of formula VIII as hereinbefore defined.

Compounds of formula V may be prepared in accordance with the procedures described herein.

Compounds of VII and IX may be prepared by reaction of a corresponding compound of formula X,

wherein X^(1a) represents —X¹-Q¹-R^(x) (in the case of preparation of compounds of formula VII) or —N(H)— (in the case of preparation of compounds of formula IX, or a protected moiety thereof, e.g. —N(Boc)-) and the other integers (e.g. X², R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2)) are as hereinbefore defined, with a compound of formula XI,

O═C(H)-L³  XI

in which L³ is as hereinbefore defined (and in particular, represents an amino group, such as —N(CH₃)₂ so forming e.g. DMF), for instance reaction of DMF-DMA in the presence of a suitable solvent (e.g. an aromatic solvent, such as toluene) at reflux.

Compounds of formula X may be prepared in accordance with the procedures described herein.

It is evident that in the foregoing and in the following reactions, the reaction products may be isolated from the reaction medium and, if necessary, further purified according to methodologies generally known in the art, such as extraction, crystallization and chromatography. It is further evident that reaction products that exist in more than one enantiomeric form, may be isolated from their mixture by known techniques, in particular preparative chromatography, such as preparative HPLC, chiral chromatography. Individual diastereoisomers or individual enantiomers can also be obtained by Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SCF).

The starting materials and the intermediates are compounds that are either commercially available or may be prepared according to conventional reaction procedures generally known in the art.

The following examples illustrate the present invention without being limited thereto.

Experimental Part

1. Synthesis of Intermediate B-1:

To a solution of A-1 (100 g, 0.64 mol) and Et₃N (64.37 g, 0.64 mol) in THF (1000 mL) was added Boc₂O (138.82 g, 0.64 mol) at 0° C., the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hrs. Then the reaction mixture was poured into H₂O (1000 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (500 mL×3). The combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuum to give intermediate B-1 (138.10 g, yield: 84%).

2. Synthesis of Intermediate C-1:

To a solution of B-1 (138 g, 0.54 mol) in 1 L of THF and 1 L of H₂O was added LiOH.H₂O (67.51 g, 1.61 mol) at 0° C. After the addition, the mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 15 hrs. The organic solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (500 mL×3), and the aqueous layer was separated and treated with 0.5 M aq. HCl to adjust to pH=3 and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (1 L×3). The combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to give intermediate C-1 (80 g, 65%) as a white solid.

3. Synthesis of Intermediate D-1:

To a stirred solution of C-1 (80 g, 0.35 mol) in 1 L of anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ was added CDI (62.24 g, 0.38 mol) under N₂ at 0° C. After the addition, the mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 1 hour, gas formation was observed. Et₃N (42.37 g, 42 mol) was added, the mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 30 min, then O,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (42.54 g, 0.44 mol) was added. After the addition, the mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 15 hrs. The mixture was washed with water, aq. NaHCO₃ and aq. citric acid monohydrate. The organic layer was separated, dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to get intermediate D-1 (80 g, 95%) as a white solid.

4. Synthesis of Intermediate F-1:

To a stirred solution of D-1 (20 g, 73.44 mmol) in 500 mL of anhydrous THF was added E-1 (350 mL, 88 mmol) under N₂ at 0° C. After the addition, the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours and 15° C. for 6 hours. Then the mixture was filtered. The solid was dissolved in NH₄Cl (100 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (200 mL×2). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (200 mL×2), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to obtain 16.2 g of intermediate F-1 as white solid.

5. Synthesis of Intermediate G-1:

A stirred solution of F-1 (15 g, 45 mmol) and DMF-DMA (9 mL, 67.48 mol) in 300 mL of anhydrous toluene was stirred at 110° C. under N₂ for 4 h. Then the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to obtain 12.15 g of intermediate G-1.

6. Synthesis of Intermediate I-1:

To a stirred solution of G-1 (2.5 g, 6.4 mmol) in ethanol (24 mL) was added, at room temperature isonicotinimidamide hydrochloride H-1 (1.5 g, 9.65 mmol) followed by potassium tert-butoxide (1.44 g, 12.9 mmol).

The reaction mixture was then heated at 80° C. for 16 hours. After 100% consumption of G-1 (monitoring by LCMS), the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and concentrated in vacuum. The residue was, then, diluted with dichloromethane (150 mL) and treated with water (150 mL). The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (2×150 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum. The crude compound was then purified on silica gel using dichloromethane/ethyl acetate: 50/50 to afford the desired intermediate I-1 as a light white solid (2.58 g, 90% yield).

7. Synthesis of Intermediate J-1:

To a solution of I-1 (2.8 g, 6.25 mmol) in dichloromethane (31 mL), trifluoroacetic acid (5.7 mL) was added at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. After complete consumption of I-1 (monitoring by TLC), the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuum to get a residue that was taken up in dichloromethane (100 mL) and treated with a saturated aqueous solution of potassium carbonate (100 mL). The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (2×100 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum to afford the desired intermediate J-1 as a beige solid (2 g, 92%) which was used in the next step without any further purification.

1. Synthesis of Intermediate L-1:

To a stirred solution of D-1 (30 g, 104 mmol) in 500 mL of anhydrous THF was added K-1 (500 mL, 125 mmol) under N₂ at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at 15° C. for 18 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with NH₄Cl (250 mL) and EtOAc (500 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (Petroleum ether:Ethylacetate=20:1) to obtain 15.12 g of intermediate L-1.

2. Synthesis of Intermediate M-1:

The mixture of L-1 (14.20 g, 37.14 mmol), Zn(CN)₂ (6.54 g, 55.72 mmol) and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (2.15 g, 1.86 mmol) in DMF (140 mL) was stirred at 100° C. for 18 h. A solution of NaHCO₃ (200 mL) was added after the mixture was cooled to the room temperature. The resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (200 mL×2). The combined organic layers were washed with NaHCO₃ (100 mL), brine (100 mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (Petroleum ether:Ethylacetate=10:1) to obtain intermediate M-1 (12.04 g) as a white solid.

3. Synthesis of Intermediate N-1:

A stirred solution of M-1 (12.00 g, 36.54 mmol) and DMF-DMA (6.53 g, 58.81 mmol) in 300 mL of anhydrous toluene was stirred at 110° C. for 4 h under N₂. Then the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (Petroleum ether:Ethylacetate=1:1) to obtain intermediate N-1 (10.05 g) as a white solid.

4. Synthesis of Compound P-1:

To a stirred solution of N-1 (800 mg, 2.0 mmol) in acetonitrile (8 mL) at room temperature, isonicotinimidamide hydrochloride H-1 (657 mg, 4.1 mmol) was added followed by DBU (0.93 mL, 6.2 mmol). The reaction mixture was then heated in a sealed tube at 110° C. for 16 hours. After complete consumption of N-1 (monitoring by LCMS), the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and treated with water (30 mL). The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3×30 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum. The crude compound (1.3 g) was then purified on silica gel using dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide solution (33% in H₂O): 98/2/0.1 to afford the desired intermediate O-1 as a light yellow solid (800 mg, 87% yield).

5. Synthesis of Intermediate P-1:

To a solution of 0-1 (800 mg, 1.8 mmol) in dichloromethane (10 mL) was added, at room temperature, trifluoroacetic acid (2.15 mL). The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. After complete consumption of 0-1 (monitoring by TLC), the reaction mixture was treated with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium carbonate (30 mL). The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3×30 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum to afford the desired intermediate P-1 as a light yellow solid (695 mg, quantitative yield) which was used in the next step without any further purification.

1. Synthesis of Intermediate R-1:

A mixture of Q-1 (150 g, 1.53 mol) and pyridinium tribromide (635 g, 1.99 mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 L) was stirred at 20° C. for 96 hours. Then the reaction mixture was washed with an aqueous solution of Na₂S₂O₃ (2×1 L) and brine (1 L), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give intermediate R-1 (380 g, 96%) as yellow liquid.

2. Synthesis of Intermediate S-1:

To a mixture of R-1 (170 g, 1.08 mol), H-1 (334.00 g, 1.29 mol) and NaHCO₃ (362.45 g, 4.31 mol) in 2.5 L of anhydrous MeOH was stirred at 80° C. for 12 hrs under N₂. Then the mixture was cooled and filtered, the filtrate was concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (CH₂Cl₂:MeOH=10:1) to obtain intermediate S-1 (170 g) as a brown solid.

3. Synthesis of Intermediate U-1:

A stirred mixture of S-1 (150 g, 595.08 mmol) and T-1 (131.16 g, 892.62 mmol) in 1500 mL of EtOH and 300 mL of H₂O was added NaHCO₃ (189.21 g, 1.79 mol) and Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (15 g) under N₂. The reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 8 hrs under N₂. Then the mixture was filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was washed with EtOAc to give intermediate U-1. The crude compound was used directly in the next step.

4. Synthesis of Intermediate V-1:

A stirred suspension of U-1 (100 g, crude) in 1500 mL of anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ was added dropwise oxalyl dichloride (462.77 g, 3.65 mol) at 0° C. under N₂. Then DMF (53.30 g, 7.29 mol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 15° C. for 4 h under N₂. Then the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (1 L) and an aqueous of NaHCO₃ (1 L). The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (CH₂Cl₂:MeOH=20:1) to obtain the crude product. The crude product was washed with EtOH to give 9.4 g of intermediate V-1 as a brown solid, and was used directly in the next step.

Synthesis of Final Compound 6:

To a solution of J-1 (250 mg, 0.722 mmol) in dichloroethane (10 mL), acetic acid (0.124 mL, 2.17 mmol) and 2,2-dimethylpropanal (0.157 mL, 1.45 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (428 mg, 2 mmol) was then added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. In order to complete the reaction, 2,2-dimethylpropanal (0.157 mL, 1.45 mmol) and acetic acid (0.124 mL, 2.17 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h before adding sodium triacetoxyborohydride (428 mg, 2 mmol). Reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours and then diluted with dichloromethane and treated with a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum. The crude compound was then purified on silica gel using dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide solution (33% in H₂O): 98/2/0.1 to afford the desired compound 6 as a white solid (156 mg, 52% yield).

Synthesis of Final Compound 9:

To a solution of J-1 (0.15 g, 0.433 mmol) and 4-chloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (0.068 g, 0.433 mmol) in dichloromethane (4 mL) under N₂-atmosphere was added sodium triacetoxyborohydride (0.138 g, 0.649 mmol) in one portion. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was directly loaded on a preparative TLC and eluted four times with [heptane(1):EtOAc(2)]. The main band was scratched off, and eluted from the SiO₂ with [EtOAc(9):MeOH(1)]. The elute was evaporated until dryness to yield 0.139 g of compound 9 (66%).

Synthesis of Final Compound 12:

To a solution of J-1 (0.1 g, 0.289 mmol) in methanol (extra dry) (3 mL) and acetic acid (0.1 mL) under N₂-atmosphere was added (1-ethoxycyclopropoxy)trimethylsilane (0.061 mL, 0.303 mmol) in one portion. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 0.5 h, then sodium cyanoborohydride (0.027 g, 0.433 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated to reflux overnight, then allowed to cool to room temperature and stirred 24 h. The reaction mixture was directly loaded on a preparative TLC and eluted with [CH₂Cl₂ (95):MeOH (5)]. The main band was scratched off, and eluted from the SiO₂ with [EtOAc (9):MeOH (1)]. The elutes were evaporated until dryness to yield 0.089 g of final compound 12 (54%).

Synthesis of Final Compound 20:

A mixture of J-1 (100 mg, 0.289 mmol), 2-phenoxypropionic acid (62.4 mg, 0.375 mmol), EDCI (83 mg, 0.433 mmol), HOBT (58.5 mg, 0.433 mmol) and NEt₃ (61 μL, 0.433 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was stirred at RT overnight. Water was added and the layers were decanted. The organic layer was washed with water, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The crude compound was purified by chromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm, 30 g) with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH/NH₄OH 97.5/2.5/0.1. The solvent was evaporated to give final compound 20 (64%).

Synthesis of Final Compound 21:

Intermediate W-1 was synthesized according to the procedure described for intermediate V-1, using (3-methoxyphenyl)boronic acid instead of T-1. A solution of W-1 (99 mg, 0.333 mmol), X-1 (77 mg, 0.399 mmol) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.142 mL, 0.831 mmol) in THF (20 mL) was stirred at reflux overnight. In order to complete the reaction, X-1 (236 mg, 1.22 mmol) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.63 mL, 3.7 mmol) were added portion wise over 2 days and the reaction mixture was stirred at reflux. Reaction mixture was allowed to come to RT and solvents were removed in vacuum. Residual brown oil (approx. 0.5 g) was dissolved in MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ and solids were filtered off. Preparative TLC (Heptane/Diethylether, 4:1 [3x], 9:1 [3x]) afforded 80 mg of a colorless oil. Material was dissolved in DIPE and heptane was added. Removal of solvents in vacuum afforded compound 21 as a colorless solid (70 mg, 56%).

Synthesis of Final Compound 25:

A solution of J-1 (100 mg, 0.29 mmol), trimethylacethyl chloride (35.5 μL, 0.29 mmol), NEt₃ (40 μL, 0.29 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL) was stirred overnight at RT. The mixture was poured into an aqueous solution of NaHCO₃ and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. Combined organic layers were dried, filtered and concentrated to give 120 mg. The crude was purified by column chromatography (Normal phase on stability Silica (5 μm 150×30.0 mm), mobile phase gradient from 0% NH₄OH, 100% DCM, 0% MeOH to 0.6% NH₄OH, 94% DCM, 6% MeOH). The solid was crystallized in diisopropylether and dried under vacuum pressure at 70° C. to give compound 25 (81 mg, 65%).

Synthesis of Final Compound 26:

Under nitrogen, oxalyl chloride (0.22 mL, 2.55 mmoles) was added to a suspension of S-1 in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL). DMF (0.02 mL) was added drop wise (exothermic) and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 3 h. Solvents were removed under vacuum. The crude material Y-1 was used directly in the next step.

4-phenyl piperidine (0.089 g, 0.549 mmoles) was added to a suspension of Y-1 (0.099 g, 0.366 mmol) in THF (8 mL). Upon addition, solids dissolved and color turned from brown-yellow to purple. N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.188 mL, 1.098 mmol) was added and reaction mixture was stirred at reflux overnight. Water and EtOAc were added. Aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. Combined organic extracts were dried with Na₂SO₄ and solvents were removed under vacuum. The crude was purified by flash chromatography (CH₂Cl₂, 2% MeOH) to afford intermediate Z-1 as a yellow oil (66 mg, 46%).

A suspension of Z-1 (0.066 g, 0.167 mmol), 2-methoxyphenylboronic acid (0.038 g, 0.25 mmol) and sodium carbonate (0.060 g, 0.566 mmol) in DME (8 mL)/H₂O (2 mL) was flushed with argon for 5 min. Trans-BIS(Triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride (6 mg, 8.6 μmol) was added and the suspension was flushed with argon for 5 min. Reaction mixture (suspension) was stirred at 60° C. under argon for 2 h. H₂O and EtOAc were added. Solids were filtered off. Layers were separated. Aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc. Combined organic layers were washed with brine and dried with Na₂SO₄. Solvents were removed under vacuum. The material was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂. Water was added and the mixture was stirred vigorously overnight. Layers were separated. Aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. Combined organic extracts were dried with Na₂SO₄. Solvents were removed under vacuum. Material was coevaporated with CH₂Cl₂. Et₂O was added to the yellow oil. The material solidified. The suspension was stirred in Et₂O overnight. The solid was filtered off, washed with Et₂O and H₂O and dried to give final compound 26 (31%).

Synthesis of Final Compound 49:

J-1 (100 mg, 0.289 mmol), K₂CO₃ (80 mg, 0.57 mmol), propargyl bromide (solution 80% WT in toluene, 39 μL, 0.35 mmol) in CH₃CN (4 mL) were stirred at RT overnight. H₂O and CH₂Cl₂ were added, organic phase was decanted, dried off over MgSO₄ powder, filtered and solvent was evaporated. The crude compound was purified by column chromatography over silica-gel column (15-40 μm, 30 g) in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH/NH₄OH 97/3/0.5 to give 20 mg of compound 49 after crystallization in CH₃CN/Diisopropylether (18%).

Synthesis of Final Compound 55:

J-1 (200 mg, 0.58 mmol), trifluoroacetic anhydride (177 μL, 1.27 mmol), NEt₃ (642 μL, 4.62 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL) were stirred at RT for 12 h. The mixture was poured into an aqueous solution of NaHCO₃ and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. Combined organic layers were dried, filtered and concentrated to give 248 mg of intermediate Z-1. The crude compound was used directly in the next step.

Under a N₂ flow, at −70° C., Et₂O (5 mL) was added to AlCl₃ (97 mg, 0.73 mmol) then the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 10 min. LiAlH₄ (1.12 mL, 2.24 mmol) was added drop wise at 0° C. and the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 10 min. Z-1 (248 mg, 0.56 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was added drop wise and the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h. The reaction was quenched with ice and EtOAc was added. The layers were decanted. The organic layer was washed with water, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The crude was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm, 30 g) in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH/NH₄OH 98/2/0.1. The compound was then was purified by achiral Super critical fluid chromatography on 2-ETHYLPYRIDINE 6 μm 150×21.2 mm (mobile phase 92% CO₂, 8% MeOH) to give compound 55 (45 mg, 19%).

Synthesis of Final Compound 56:

To a solution of J-1 (250 mg, 0.72 mmol) in dichloromethane (3.6 mL) was added, at room temperature, 2,2-difluoroethyl triflate (230 mg, 1.08 mmol) followed by triethylamine (0.36 mL, 2.16 mmol, 3 eq). The reaction mixture was then stirred at 50° C. for 16 hours and treated with water (5 mL). The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3×10 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum (300 mg). The crude compound was then purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate (100%) to afford the desired compound 56 as a white solid (200 mg, 67% yield).

Synthesis of Final Compound 57:

To a solution of J-1 (250 mg, 0.72 mmol) in dichloromethane (3.6 mL) was added, at room temperature, A-2 (247 mg, 1.08 mmol) followed by triethylamine (0.36 mL, 2.16 mmol). The reaction mixture was then stirred at 50° C. for 16 hours and treated with water (5 mL). The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3×10 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum (650 mg). The crude compound was then purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate/dichloromethane: 70/30 to afford the desired compound 57 as a white solid (260 mg, 84% yield).

Synthesis of Final Compound 58:

To a solution of Q-1 (200 mg, 0.58 mmol) in dichloromethane (3 mL) was added, at room temperature, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl triflate (0.13 mL, 0.88 mmol) followed by triethylamine (0.24 mL, 1.76 mmol). The reaction mixture was then stirred at reflux for 2 hours. After 80% consumption of Q-1 (monitoring by LCMS), the reaction mixture was treated with water (5 mL). The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3×10 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum (185 mg). The crude compound was then purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate/petroleum ether 50/50 to afford the desired compound 58 as a white solid (100 mg, 40% yield).

Synthesis of Final Compound 64:

To a stirred solution of N-1 (800 mg, 2.0 mmol) in acetonitrile (8 mL) was added, at room temperature 2,2,2-trifluoroacetimidamide hydrochloride B-2 (620 mg, 4.1 mmol) followed by DBU (0.93 mL, 6.2 mmol). The reaction mixture was then heated in a sealed tube at 110° C. for 38 hours. After 54% consumption of N-1 (monitoring by LCMS), the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, diluted with dichloromethane (30 mL) and treated with water (30 mL). The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3×30 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum. The crude compound was then purified on silica gel using petroleum ether/ethyl acetate 70/30 to afford the desired intermediate C-2 as a light yellow solid (315 mg, 35% yield).

To a solution of C-2 (465 mg, 1.08 mmol) in dichloromethane (5 mL), trifluoroacetic acid (1 mL) was added at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. After complete consumption of C-2 (monitoring by TLC), the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuum to get a residue that was taken up in dichloromethane (30 mL) and treated with a saturated aqueous solution of potassium carbonate (30 mL). The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3×30 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum to afford the desired intermediate D-2 as a light yellow solid (340 mg, 94% yield) which was used in the next step without any further purification.

To a solution of D-2 (340 mg, 1.02 mmol) in dichloroethane (13 mL), acetic acid (0.19 mL, 4.59 mmol) was added, at room temperature, followed by 2,2-dimethylpropanal (0.33 mL, 3.07 mmol). The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 5 hours before adding sodium triacetoxyborohydride (867 mg, 4.08 mmol). Reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 48 hours and then diluted with dichloromethane (30 mL) and treated with a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate (30 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (3×40 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum (400 mg). The crude compound was then purified on silica gel using dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide solution (33% in H₂O): 99/1/0.1 to afford the desired compound 64 as a white solid (260 mg, 63% yield).

Synthesis of Final Compound 70:

To a stirred solution of J-1 (800 mg, 2.3 mmol) in acetonitrile (9.2 mL) and dichloromethane (4.8 mL) was added, at room temperature, chloroacetone E-2 (0.27 mL, 3.45 mmol) followed by potassium carbonate (0.64 g, 4.6 mmol). The reaction mixture was then heated at reflux for 8 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature diluted with dichloromethane (30 mL) and treated with water (30 mL). The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (2×30 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum to afford the desired intermediate F-2 as a red oil (930 mg, 100% yield) which was used in the next step without any further purification.

To a solution of F-2 (930 mg, 2.3 mmol) in dichloromethane (115 mL), diethyl amino sulfur trifluoride (DAST) (0.57 mL, 6.9 mmol) was added drop wise, at −78° C. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (50 mL) and treated with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium carbonate (50 mL), at 0° C. The aqueous crude mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (2×50 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum. The crude compound was first purified on silica gel using dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide solution (33% in H₂O): 99/1/0.1, then another purification was done using dichloro-methane/ethyl acetate: 80/20. The residue was finally triturated with pentane to afford the desired compound 70 as a brown gummy solid (60 mg, 6%).

Synthesis of Final Compound 89:

To a mixture of intermediate G-2 (0.15 g, 0.38 mmol) in dichloromethane (20 mL) was added tri-ethylamine (0.12 g, 1.14 mmol) followed by compound 1-2 (0.053 g, 0.38 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 25° C. under N₂ for 15 hours. The mixture was diluted with dichloromethane and washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The aqueous layer is back extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried and evaporated to give intermediate I-2 (0.16 g, 90%).

To a solution of intermediate I-2 (0.16 g, 0.35 mmol) in dichloromethane (15 mL) was added m-CPBA (0.066 g, 0.38 mmol) portion wise at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at 15° C. for 20 hours. The solid was precipitated out and filtered through a pad of celite and washed with dichloromethane. The filtrate was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography to give compound 89 (16 mg, 12%).

Synthesis of Final Compound 91:

Triethylsilyl acetylene (38 mg, 0.27 mmol) was added to a solution of compound 90 (0.12 g, 0.18 mmol), Pd(PPh₃)₄ (21 mg, 0.018 mmol), tri-ethylamine (0.22 g, 2.16 mmol) and Copper(I) iodide (3 mg, 0.011 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) at room temperature under N₂ in a microwave vessel. The vessel was capped and irradiated at 110° C. for 40 minutes. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum and the residue was diluted with ethyl acetate (30 mL) and water (10 mL). The organic layer was separated, dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was dried under vacuum and used directly in the next step. 0.15 g of crude intermediate J-2 was obtained.

Intermediate J2 (crude, 0.18 mmol) in dry THF (35 mL) was added to a solution of tetra-butylammonium fluoride (1 M in THF, 7.5 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the crude product was directly purified by basic preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (column: C18, eluent: CH₃CN/H₂O 97/3, 0.05% NH₃.H₂O). The desired fraction was collected and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The product was dried under vacuum to give compound 91 (10 mg, 13%).

Mass LCMS Ret Exact Found Time, Synthesis # STRUCTURE Mass [M + H] Method method MP (° C.)  1

456.20 457 1.53 B5501 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9  2

414.24 415 1.46 B5501 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9  3

454.22 455 4.23 MERC22 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9 111-114  4

442.18 443 4.3 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 135 (K)  5

486.18 487 4.23 MERC22 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9 227-228  6

416.26 417 5.45 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 118 (K)  7

422.21 423 1.43 B5501 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9  8

436.23 437 4.47 MERC20 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9 149-151  9

486.18 487 4.29 MERC22 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9 119-123 10

452.22 453 4.17 MERC22 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9 142-146 11

402.24 403 4.3 MERC22 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 105-106 12

386.21 387 4.06 MERC22 Intermediate J1 Final compound 12 153-156 13

470.19 469 (M − H) 4.42 MERC22 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9 180-181 14

438.22 439 4.38 MERC22 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9 195-196 15

400.26 401 4.62 MERC22 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 123-127 16

436.23 437 4.63 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9 174 (K) 17

442.27 443 4.86 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 130 (K) 18

426.21 427 4.23 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 120 (K) 19

442.18 443 4.65 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 130 (K) 20

494.23 495 4.1 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 20 21

417.25 418 4.63 MERC22 Intermediate XI Final compound 21 117-120 22

509.24 510 3.19 MERC26 Intermediate XI Final compound 21 106-108 23

486.18 487 4.16 MERC27 Intermediate J1 Final compound 9 165-166 24

416.26 417 4.89 MERC27 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 222-224 25

430.24 431 4.05 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 25 165 (K) 26

422.21 423 4.4 MERC28 Final compound 26 157-159 27

494.23 495 3.77 MERC28 Intermediate J1 Final compound 20 138-140 28

504.21 505 5.08 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 156 (K) 29

454.22 455 4.67 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 152 (K) 30

431.27 432 4.86 MERC27 Final compound 26 137-138 31

461.22 462 4.5 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 140 (K) 32

472.21 473 4.82 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 138 (K) 33

450.24 451 4.86 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 160 (K) 34

461.22 462 4.5 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 168 (K) 35

450.24 451 4.77 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 141 (K) 36

416.26 417 4.95 MERC25 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 154-156 37

429.29 430 5.22 MERC30 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 140-142 38

400.26 401 5.6 MERC27 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 170-171 39

420.21 421 5.48 MERC27 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 119-121 40

454.23 455 5.32 MERC27 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 112-114 41

454.22 455 4.74 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 139 (K) 42

461.22 462 4.57 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 158 (K) 43

472.21 473 4.87 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 158 (K) 44

470.19 471 5.09 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 131 (K) 45

470.19 471 5.15 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 133 (K) 46

504.21 505 5.38 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 144 (K) 47

472.21 473 4.99 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 184 (K) 48

472.21 473 4.99 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 181 (K) 49

384.20 385 3.92 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 49 160 (K) 50

400.26 401 5.91 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 208 (K) 51

370.25 371 6.08 B5301 — 52

386.22 387 6.65 B5301 — 53

382.27 383 5.85 B5301 — 54

411.24 412 4.7 V3007V3001 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 6 155 (K) 55

428.18 429 4.49 V3007V3001 Intermediate J1 Final compound 55 56

410.19 411 11.52 NOVA1 Intermediate J1 Final compound 56 123 (B) 57

427.24 428 11.77 NOVA1 Intermediate J1 Final compound 57 117 (B) 58

423.17 424 11.73 NOVA1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 58 168-172 (B) 59

423.17 424 12.3 NOVA1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 58 163-164 (B) 60

423.17 424 12.46 NOVA1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 58 52-92 (B) 61

411.24 412 11.74 NOVA1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 6 65-153 (B) 62

411.24 412 11.98 NOVA1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 6 57-113 (B) 63

374.25 375 13.38 NOVA1 Final compound 64 125-126 (B) 64

402.20 403 13.63 NOVA1 Final compound 64 114-116 (B) 65

435.24 436 14.25 NOVA1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 6 247-249 (B) 66

428.24 429 14.62 NOVA1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 6 154-158 (B) 67

441.25 442 14.14 NOVA1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 6 144-145 (B) 68

412.24 413 13.13 NOVA1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 6 163-170 (B) 69

411.24 412 11.88 NOVA1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 6 148-150 (B) 70

424.21 425 11.7 NOVA1 Intermediate J1 Final compound 70 71

445.18 446 4.95 WUXI2 Intermediate J1 Final compound 58 72

425.22 426 3.7 WUXI1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 6 73

386.22 387 2.85 WUXI2 Intermediate XI Final compound 21 74

412.24 413 2.7 WUXI2 Intermediate X1 Final compound 21 155-164 (WRS-2A) 75

422.22 423 3.82 WUXI1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 57 79-87 (WRS-2A) 76

440.16 441 4.64 WUXI2 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 58 157-158 (WRS-2A) 77

442.22 443 6.72 WUXI1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 25 75-80 (WRS-2A) 78

444.23 445 4.04 WUXI2 Intermediate J1 Final compound 57 119 (WRS-2A) 79

458.19 459 4.5 WUXI2 Intermediate J1 Final compound 58 80

439.22 440 3.91 WUXI2 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 57 171 (WRS-2A) 81

457.25 458 3.47 WUXI14 Intermediate J1 Final compound 57 82

423.22 424 4.23 WUXI1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 57 182 (WRS-2A) 83

452.18 453 4.69 WUXI2 Intermediate J1 Final compound 58 180-182 (WRS-2A) 84

447.17 448 4.45 WUXI2 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 58 249-251 (WRS-2A) 85

452.23 453 4.85 WUXI1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 57 165 (WRS-2A) 86

451.24 452 3.94 WUXI2 Intermediate J1 Final compound 57 207 (WRS-2A) 87

499.20 500 4.62 WUXI1 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 57 101-122 (WRS-2A) 88

504.15 505 4.25 WUXI2 Intermediate J1 Final compound 57 89

478.18 479 5.1 WUXI2 Intermediate Q1 Final compound 89 90

493.17 494 3.27 WUXI3 Intermediate J1 Final compound 6 91

439.26 440 4.41 WUXI2 Final compound 91 92

450.24 451 4.27 WUXI2 Final compound 91 93

451.19 452 5.18 WUXI2 Final compound 91

Analytical Methods.

All Compounds were Characterized by LC-MS. The Following LC-MS Methods were Used:

General Procedure NOVA (for Methods NOVAx)

The HPLC measurement was performed using an HPLC 1100/1200 (Agilent) system comprising a quaternary pump with degasser, an autosampler, a diode-array detector (DAD) and a column as specified in the respective methods below, the column is held at a room temperature. The MS detector (MS-Agilent simple quadripole) was configured with an electrospray-APCI ionization source. Nitrogen was used as the nebulizer gas. Data acquisition was performed with a Chemstation data system.

Method NOVA1:

In addition to the general procedure NOVA: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Nucleosil C18 column (3 μm, 3×150 mm) with a flow rate of 0.42 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: Water TFA 0.1%; mobile phase B: 100% acetonitrile) were employed to run a gradient condition from 98% A for 3 minutes, to 100% B in 12 minutes, 100% B for 5 minutes, then back to 98% A in 2 minutes, and reequilibrated with 98% A for 6 minutes. An injection volume of 2 μl was used. The capillary voltage was 2 kV, the corona discharge was held at 1 μA and the source temperature was maintained at 250° C. A variable voltage was used for the fragmentor. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization and APCI in positive mode, by scanning from 100 to 1100 amu.

Method NOVA2:

In addition to the general procedure NOVA: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Agilent Eclipse C18 column (5 μm, 4.6×150 mm) with a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: Water TFA 0.1%; mobile phase B: 100% acetonitrile) were employed to run a gradient condition from 98% A for 3 minutes, to 100% B in 12 minutes, 100% B for 5 minutes, then back to 98% A in 2 minutes, and reequilibrated with 98% A for 6 minutes. An injection volume of 2 μl was used. The capillary voltage was 2 kV, the corona discharge was held at 1 μA and the source temperature was maintained at 250° C. A variable voltage was used for the fragmentor. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization and APCI in positive mode, by scanning from 80 to 1000 amu.

Method NOVA3:

In addition to the general procedure NOVA: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column (3 μm, 3×30 mm) with a flow rate of 0.7 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: Water TFA 0.1%; mobile phase B: 100% acetonitrile) were employed to run a gradient condition from 98% A to 100% B in 2 minutes, 100% B for 0.5 minutes, then back to 98% A in 0.1 minutes, and reequilibrated with 98% A for 2.4 minutes. An injection volume of 2 μl was used. The capillary voltage was 2 kV, the corona discharge was held at 1 μA and the source temperature was maintained at 250° C. A variable voltage was used for the fragmentor. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization and APCI in positive mode, by scanning from 80 to 1000 amu.

General Procedure B (for Methods Bxxxx)

The HPLC measurement was performed using an HPLC Alliance 2695 (Waters) system comprising a quaternary pump with degasser, an autosampler, a diode-array detector (DAD), a CLND detector (Antek) and a column as specified in the respective methods below, the column is held at 40° C. The MS detector (ZQ-Waters simple quadripole) was configured with an electrospray ionization source. Nitrogen was used as the nebulizer gas. Data acquisition was performed with a Masslynx-Openlynx data system.

Method B5301:

In addition to the general procedure B: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a X-terra MS C18 column (3.5 μm, 4.6×100 mm) with a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: Water with 0.1% formic acid: 95/Methanol: 5%; mobile phase B: 100% Methanol) were employed to run a gradient condition from 100% A to 5% A/95% B in 12 minutes, and back to 100% A in 1 minutes. An injection volume of 10 μl was used. The cone voltage was 30V for both positive and negative ionization. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization and APCI in positive mode, by scanning from 100 to 1500 amu.

Method B5501:

In addition to the general procedure B: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a BEH C18 column (1.7 μm, 2.1×50 mm) with a flow rate of 0.7 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: Methanol, B: Ammonium acetate 10 mM in water: 90%/Acetonitrile: 10%) were employed to run a gradient condition from 5% A/95% B to 95% A/5% B in 1.3 minutes held for 0.2 minutes, and back to 5% A/95% B in 0.2 minutes, held for 0.3 minutes. An injection volume of 0.75 ml was used. The cone voltage was 30V for both positive and negative ionization. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization, by scanning from 160 to 1000 amu.

General Procedure VDR2 (for Methods V300xV30xx)

The LC measurement was performed using a UPLC (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography) Acquity (Waters) system comprising a binary pump with degasser, an autosampler, a diode-array detector (DAD) and a column as specified in the respective methods below, the column is hold at a temperature of 40° C. Flow from the column was brought to a MS detector. The MS detector was configured with an electrospray ionization source. The capillary needle voltage was 3 kV and the source temperature was maintained at 130° C. on the Quattro (triple quadrupole mass spectrometer from Waters). Nitrogen was used as the nebulizer gas. Data acquisition was performed with a Waters-Micromass MassLynx-Openlynx data system.

Method V3007V3001

In addition to the general procedure VDR2: Reversed phase UPLC was carried out on a Waters Acquity BEH (bridged ethylsiloxane/silica hybrid) C18 column (1.7 μm, 2.1×100 mm) with a flow rate of 0.35 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: 95% 7 mM ammonium acetate/5% acetonitrile; mobile phase B: 100% acetonitrile) were employed to run a gradient condition from 90% A and 10% B (hold for 0.5 minutes) to 8% A and 92% B in 3.5 minutes, hold for 2 min and back to the initial conditions in 0.5 min, hold for 1.5 minutes. An injection volume of 2 ml was used. Cone voltage was 20 V for positive and negative ionization mode. Mass spectra were acquired by scanning from 100 to 1000 in 0.2 seconds using an interscan delay of 0.1 seconds.

General Procedure Wuxi (for Methods WUXIx)

The HPLC measurement was performed using an HPLC 1100/1200 (Agilent) system comprising a quaternary pump with degasser, an autosampler, a diode-array detector (DAD) and a column as specified in the respective methods below, the column is held at 50° C. The MS detector (Agilent G1946C or 6110) was configured with an Electrospray or an APCI ionization source. Nitrogen was used as the nebulizer gas. Data acquisition was performed with a Agilent Chemstation data system.

Method WUXI1:

In addition to the general procedure WUXI: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a YMC-PACK ODS-AQ C18 column (5 μm, 2×50 mm) with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: Water with 0.1% trifluoro-acetic acid; mobile phase B: acetonitrile with 0.05% trifluoro-acetic acid) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 100% A held for 1 minutes, to 40% A/60% B in 4 minutes, held for 2.5 min, then back to 100% A in 0.5 minutes. An injection volume of 2 μl was used. The capillary voltage was 2.5 kV for positive ionization mode and 3kV for negative ionization mode, the corona discharge was held at 4 μA if APCI and the source temperature was maintained at 200° C. Fragmentation voltage was 70V. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization or APCI in positive mode, by scanning from 100 to 1000 amu.

Method WUXI2:

In addition to the general procedure WUXI: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a YMC-PACK ODS-AQ C18 column (5 μm, 2×50 mm) with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: Water with 0.1% trifluoro-acetic acid; mobile phase B: acetonitrile with 0.05% trifluoro-acetic acid) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 90% A/10% B held for 0.8 minutes, to 20% A/80% B in 3.7 minutes, held for 3 min, then back to initial conditions in 0.5 minutes. The capillary voltage was 2.5 kV for positive ionization mode and 3kV for negative ionization mode, the corona discharge was held at 4 μA if APCI and the source temperature was maintained at 200° C. Fragmentation voltage was 70V. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization or APCI in positive mode, by scanning from 100 to 1000 amu.

Method WUXI3:

In addition to the general procedure WUXI: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a YMC-PACK ODS-AQ C18 column (5 μm, 2×50 mm) with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: Water with 0.1% trifluoro-acetic acid; mobile phase B: acetonitrile with 0.05% trifluoro-acetic acid) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 70% A/30% B held for 0.8 minutes, to 10% A/90% B in 3.2 minutes, held for 3.5 min, then back to initial conditions in 0.5 minutes. The capillary voltage was 2.5 kV for positive ionization mode and 3kV for negative ionization mode, the corona discharge was held at 4 μA if APCI and the source temperature was maintained at 200° C. Fragmentation voltage was 70V. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization or APCI in positive mode, by scanning from 100 to 1000 amu.

Method WUXI4:

In addition to the general procedure WUXI: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Agilent TC-C18 column (5 μm, 2.1×50 mm) with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: Water with 0.1% trifluoro-acetic acid; mobile phase B: acetonitrile with 0.05% trifluoro-acetic acid) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 90% A/10% B held for 0.8 minutes, to 20% A/80% B in 3.7 minutes, held for 3 min, then back to initial conditions in 2 minutes. The capillary voltage was 2.5 kV for positive ionization mode and 3kV for negative ionization mode, the corona discharge was held at 4 μA if APCI and the source temperature was maintained at 200° C. Fragmentation voltage was 70V. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization or APCI in positive mode, by scanning from 100 to 1000 amu.

General Procedure Mercachem (for Methods MERCx)

The HPLC measurement was performed using an HPLC 1100-SL or 1200-SL (Agilent) system comprising a quaternary pump with degasser, an autosampler, a diode-array detector (DAD) and a column as specified in the respective methods below. The MS detector (Agilent MSD-SL) was configured with an Electrospray ionization source. Data acquisition was performed with a Agilent Chemstation data system.

Method MERC20:

In addition to the general procedure MERC: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Waters X-Bridge C18 column (3.5 μm, 2.1×50 mm) held at 25° C. with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: Acetonitrile with 10 mM ammonia; mobile phase B: Water with 10 mM ammonia) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 2% A to 98% A/2% B in 3.5 minutes, held for 2.5 min. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization in positive & negative mode, by scanning from 220 to 800 amu.

Method MERC22:

In addition to the general procedure MERC: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Waters X-Bridge C18 column (3.5 μm, 2.1×50 mm) held at 25° C. with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: 95% Methanol/5% 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in Water; mobile phase B: 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in Water) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 10% A to 98% A/2% B in 2.5 minutes, held for 3.5 min. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization in positive & negative mode, by scanning from 220 to 800 amu.

Method MERC25:

In addition to the general procedure MERC: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Gemini C18 column (3 μm, 2.1×50 mm) held at 25° C. with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: 95% Acetonitrile/5% 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in Water; mobile phase B: 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in Water) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 2% A to 98% A/2% B in 3.5 minutes, held for 2.5 min. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization in positive & negative mode, by scanning from 100 to 800 amu.

Method MERC26:

In addition to the general procedure MERC: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Waters X-Bridge C18 column (3.5 μm, 2.1×50 mm) held at 25° C. with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: 0.1% formic acid in Acetonitrile; mobile phase B: 0.1% formic acid in Water) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 2% A to 98% A/2% B in 3.5 minutes, held for 2.5 min. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization in positive & negative mode, by scanning from 100 to 800 amu.

Method MERC27:

In addition to the general procedure MERC: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Waters X-Bridge C18 column (3.5 μm, 2.1×50 mm) held at 25° C. with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: 95% Acetonitrile/5% 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in Water; mobile phase B: 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in Water) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 2% A to 98% A/2% B in 3.5 minutes, held for 4.5 min. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization in positive & negative mode, by scanning from 100 to 800 amu.

Method MERC28:

In addition to the general procedure MERC: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Waters X-Bridge C18 column (3.5 μm, 2.1×50 mm) held at 25° C. with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: 95% Acetonitrile/5% 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in Water; mobile phase B: 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in Water) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 2% A to 98% A/2% B in 3.5 minutes, held for 2.5 min. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization in positive & negative mode, by scanning from 100 to 800 amu.

Method MERC30:

In addition to the general procedure MERC: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on a Gemini C18 column (3 μm, 2.1×50 mm) held at 25° C. with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Two mobile phases (mobile phase A: 95% Acetonitrile/5% 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in Water; mobile phase B: 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in Water) were employed to run a gradient condition starting from 2% A to 98% A/2% B in 3.5 minutes, held for 4.5 min. Mass spectra were acquired in electrospray ionization in positive & negative mode, by scanning from 100 to 800 amu.

H¹ NMR Analysis of Final Compounds: Compound 6

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) d 8.81 (d, J=5.67 Hz, 2H), 8.77 (s, 1H), 8.31 (d, J=5.67 Hz, 2H), 7.46 (t, J=7.88 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (d, J=7.88 Hz, 1H), 6.98-7.04 (m, 2H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 2.79-2.89 (m, 3H), 1.96-2.15 (m, 6H), 1.66 (d, J=11.98 Hz, 2H), 0.86 (s, 9H)

Compound 55

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.74-8.85 (m, 3H), 8.33 (d, J=4.73 Hz, 2H), 7.46 (t, J=7.88 Hz, 1H), 6.97-7.11 (m, 3H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.16 (q, J=9.98 Hz, 2H), 2.99 (d, J=11.03 Hz, 2H), 2.90 (t, J=11.03 Hz, 1H), 2.27 (t, J=11.66 Hz, 2H), 2.02 (q, J=11.66 Hz, 2H), 1.72 (d, J=11.66 Hz, 2H)

Compound 58

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-d) δ 8.86 (d, J=5.31 Hz, 2H), 8.67 (s, 1H), 8.44 (d, J=5.31 Hz, 2H), 7.86 (d, J=7.83 Hz, 1H), 7.67-7.76 (m, 2H), 7.64 (d, J=7.83 Hz, 1H), 3.02-3.17 (m, 4H), 2.80 (s, 1H), 2.37-2.47 (m, 2H), 2.22-2.37 (m, 2H), 1.75 (d, J=13.39 Hz, 2H)

Compound 70

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-d) δ 8.85 (d, J=6.06 Hz, 2H), 8.69 (s, 1H), 8.41-8.46 (m, 2H), 7.48 (t, J=8.08 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (dd, J=2.02, 8.08 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (d, J=7.33 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.03-3.14 (m, 2H), 2.90-3.01 (m, 1H), 2.73 (t, J=13.64 Hz, 2H), 2.18-2.32 (m, 4H), 1.74 (s, 2H), 1.62 (br. s., 3H)

Compound 67

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-d) δ 9.31 (d, J=2.27 Hz, 1H), 8.60 (dd, J=2.27, 8.59 Hz, 1H), 8.43 (s, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=7.58 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.45-7.52 (m, 1H), 6.80 (d, J=8.59 Hz, 1H), 3.97 (s, 3H), 2.80 (d, J=6.82 Hz, 2H), 2.57 (br. s., 1H), 2.01-2.16 (m, 4H), 1.96 (s, 2H), 1.49-1.58 (m, 2H), 0.81 (s, 9H)

Compound 57

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.76-8.85 (m, 3H), 8.29-8.37 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.52 (m, 1H), 6.97-7.12 (m, 3H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 3.02 (d, J=11.12 Hz, 2H), 2.89 (t, J=11.10 Hz, 1H), 2.44 (s, 2H), 2.14-2.27 (m, 2H), 1.94-2.12 (m, 2H), 1.72 (d, J=12.63 Hz, 2H), 1.29 (s, 6H)

Compound 66

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-d) δ 8.62 (dd, J=5.81, 8.84 Hz, 2H), 8.57 (s, 1H), 7.82 (d, J=7.58 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.73 (m, 2H), 7.61 (s, 1H), 7.25 (t, J=8.84 Hz, 2H), 2.94 (d, J=7.58 Hz, 2H), 2.60-2.78 (m, 1H), 2.13-2.31 (m, 4H), 2.09 (s, 2H), 1.64 (d, J=8.34 Hz, 2H), 0.95 (s, 9H)

Compound 65

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-d) δ 8.73 (d, J=8.34 Hz, 2H), 8.63 (s, 1H), 7.80-7.90 (m, 3H), 7.66-7.74 (m, 2H), 7.60-7.65 (m, 1H), 2.94 (d, J=6.57 Hz, 2H), 2.65-2.79 (m, 1H), 2.14-2.30 (m, 4H), 2.09 (s, 2H), 1.65 (d, J=4.80 Hz, 2H), 0.95 (s, 9H)

Compound 71

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-d) δ 8.49-8.61 (m, 3H), 7.41 (t, J=8.03 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (t, J=8.03 Hz, 2H), 7.00 (dd, J=2.01, 8.03 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (d, J=8.03 Hz, 1H), 6.81-6.86 (m, 1H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 2.84-3.11 (m, 5H), 2.16-2.42 (m, 4H), 1.70 (d, J=13.05 Hz, 2H)

Compound 39

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.73-8.90 (m, 3H), 8.32 (d, J=6.06 Hz, 2H), 7.53-7.68 (m, 3H), 7.40-7.50 (m, 1H), 2.84 (d, J=11.12 Hz, 2H), 2.68-2.79 (m, 1H), 1.92-2.17 (m, 6H), 1.66 (d, J=12.13 Hz, 2H), 0.86 (s, 9H)

Compound 21

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.69-8.79 (m, 2H), 8.36 (s, 1H), 8.19-8.28 (m, 2H), 7.34-7.48 (m, 1H), 7.04-7.15 (m, 2H), 6.97 (dd, J=1.77, 8.34 Hz, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.36-3.40 (m, 3H), 2.46 (t, J=4.55 Hz, 3H), 2.04 (s, 2H), 1.23 (br. s., 2H), 0.83 (s, 9H)

Compound 40

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.75-8.96 (m, 3H), 8.33 (d, J=6.06 Hz, 2H), 7.89 (br. s., 2H), 7.72-7.85 (m, 2H), 2.84 (d, J=9.35 Hz, 2H), 2.63-2.77 (m, 1H), 1.93-2.17 (m, 6H), 1.56-1.78 (m, 2H), 0.85 (s, 9H)

The following six compounds/examples were also prepared in accordance with the procedures described herein:

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES In Vitro Method for Testing Compounds for Antibacterial Activity Against Various Bacterial Strains Preparation of Bacterial Suspensions for Susceptibility Testing

The following bacteria were used: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC 700788 and Escherichia coli ATCC 35218. The bacteria used in this study were grown overnight in flasks containing 100 ml Mueller-Hinton broth (Difco cat. nr. 0757-17) in sterile de-ionized water, with shaking, at 37° C. Stocks were store at −70° C. until use.

Bacteria were incubated on a tryptic soy agar plate containing 5% sheep blood (Becton Dickinson cat. nr. 254053) for 18-24 hours at 35° C. in aerobic conditions (first passage). For the second passage, fresh Mueller-Hinton broth is inoculated with 5-10 colonies and grown overnight at 35° C. until turbidity (reaching log-phase) in aerobic conditions is reached. The bacterial suspension is then adjusted to 0.5 McFarland density and further diluted 1:100 in Mueller Hinton broth medium. This is used as inoculum.

Antibacterial Susceptibility Testing: IC90 Determination

MIC assays were performed by the broth microdilution method in a 96-well format (flat-bottom microtitre plates) with a final volume of 0.1 ml Mueller Hinton broth containing two-fold serial dilutions of compounds and inoculated with 5×105 CFU/ml of bacteria (standard inoculum size according to CLSI guidelines). Inhibitors are typically varied over the range of 63 to 0.49 μM. The final DMSO concentration in the assay was 1.25% (maximum tolerable DMSO concentration=6%). In the assays where the effect of human serum on the activity of the compounds against S. aureus was tested, human serum was added at a final concentration of 10%. The plates were incubated at 35° C. for 16-20 hours. At the end of incubation the bacterial growth was quantified fluorometrically. For this, resazurin was added to all wells and the plates were re-incubated. The incubation time is dependent on the type of bacteria. A change in color from blue to pink indicated the growth of bacteria. The fluorescence was read in computer-controlled fluorometer (Fluoroskan Ascent FL, Labsystems) at an excitation wavelength 540 nm and an emission wavelength of 590 nm. The % growth inhibition achieved by the compounds was calculated according to standard methods. The IC90 (expressed in μg/ml) was defined as the 90% inhibitory concentration for bacterial growth. A panel of reference compounds were simultaneously tested for QC approval.

Cytotoxicity Assays

Cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated using the MTT assay. Human HelaM cells grown in 96-well plates were exposed to serial dilutions of the tested compounds (final volume of 0.2 ml) and incubated for 72 hours at 37° C. and 5% CO2 Inhibitors are typically varied over the range of 25 to 0.8 μM. The final DMSO concentration in the assay is 0.5%. MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a tetrazole) was added and reduced to purple formazan only in living cells. Solubilization of the formazan crystals was achieved by adding 100 μl 2-propanol. Cell viability was determined by measuring the absorbance of the reduced formazan, giving a purple color, at 540 nm and 690 nm. The absorbance measured at 690 nm was automatically subtracted from the absorbance at 540 nm, to eliminate the effects of non-specific absorption. The percent cytotoxicity achieved by the compounds was calculated according to standard methods. Cytotoxicity is reported as CC50, the concentration that causes a 50% reduction in cell viability.

Protocol for MIC Determination of Compounds on ECO/PAE/STA in Microplates

-   -   Add 4-5 colonies of an overnight grown plate to 5 ml Mueller         Hinton medium     -   Incubate for 3-6 hours at 37° C. in shaker incubator (300 rpm)     -   Measure OD at 600 nm (OD600=1->109 CFU/ml)     -   Dilute bacteria until 105 CFU/ml in medium     -   Prepare 2-fold dilutions in microplates in 100 μl Mueller Hinton         medium (final conc. from 64 to 0.125 μg/ml)     -   Add 100 μl of bacteria dilution to each well     -   Incubate for 18-20 hours at 37° C.     -   Check the growth against the control visually         MIC is the lowest concentration with no growth (90% inhibition         of growth)

Biological Results

Compound of the examples/invention are/were tested in the antibacterial susceptibility and/or the cyctotoxicity assays described above. Compounds of the examples/invention are/were found to exhibit an IC90 value of less than 50 μg/mL (e.g. less than 15 μg/mL), a CC50 value of less than 50 μg/mL (e.g. less than 15 μg/mL) and/or a MIC90 of less than 10 μg/mL (e.g. less than 1 μg/mL), in the respective assays. Certain compounds exhibited an IC90 value of less than 10 μg/mL (e.g. less than 1 μg/mL), or a CC50 value of less than 10 μg/mL (e.g. less than 5 μg/mL) and/or a MIC90 value of less than 0.5 μg/mL, in the respective assays.

Certain compounds may be available from commercially-available sources, e.g. CHEMBRIDGE.

TABLE 1 Compounds of formula (I). # STRUCTURE IC90 (μg/ml) CC50 (μg/ml) 1

8.5 2

13.73 3

5.59 >4.5 4

12.91 >11.1 5

2.10 6.3 6

1.05 >10.5 7

14.32 8

5.50 >4.4 9

0.97 5.9 10

1.68 9.9 11

5.49 >10.1 12

5.78 >9.7 13

1.71 5.2 14

9.16 >11.0 15

1.49 >10.1 16

6.92 >11.0 17

13.37 >11.1 18

13.03 >10.7 19

5.57 >11.1 20

7.15 8.1 21

0.39 5.9 22

5.16 8.5 23

7.37 4.4 24

1.68 >11.4 25

3.27 >10.8 26

7.51 5.7 27

9.10 7.1 28

5.28 4.7 29

3.45 8.5 30

5.19 8.8 31

7.32 4.2 32

3.27 5.5 33

13.15 7.6 34

6.99 8.7 35

13.3 7.7 36

2.98 >10.5 37

3.04 9.2 38

5.04 >4.0 39

0.76 7.3 40

0.52 7.0 41

8.66 7.7 42

6.75 5.1 43

2.24 6.2 44

2.23 7.0 45

3.49 4.9 46

4.10 4.2 47

1.74 2.1 48

3.16 2.2 49

12.16 >9.7 50

9.61 >4.0 51

13.45 7.8 52

1.28 6.7 53

5.47 7.5 54

1.29 >10.3 55

0.39 6.3 56

1.49 >10.3 57

0.39 7.3 58

0.69 >10.6 59

>26.7 >10.6 60

>26.7 >10.6 61

>25.9 >10.3 62

>25.9 >10.3 63

2.74 >9.4 64

1.46 >10.1 65

0.13 >4.4 66

<0.21 8.8 67

0.81 >11.1 68

6.10 >10.4 69

3.02 >10.3 70

0.64 6.7 71

<0.22 72

25.94

TABLE 2 Compounds of formula (I). MIC90 # STRUCTURE (μg/ml) 73

>64 74

0.125 75

0.5 76

0.125 77

0.25 78

0.125 79

0.125 80

0.125 81

0.125 82

1 83

0.125 84

0.125 85

0.125 86

0.125 87

2 88

0.125 89

0.125 90

0.25 91

0.5 92

0.125 93

0.125 

1. A compound of formula I, wherein formula I represents:

wherein: Y represents:

(ii) —CF₃; (iii) —N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂ (e.g. —N(CH₃)₂); or (iv) C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl); N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) independently represent —N═ or —C(H)═ but wherein only a maximum of three of N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) may represent —N═; n represents 0, 1 or 2 (but preferably represents 0); X¹ and X² independently represent —N— or —C(H)—; when X¹ represents —N—, Q¹ represents a direct bond, —C(O)— or —S(O)₂—; when X¹ represents —C(H)—, Q¹ represents a direct bond or —N(R^(z))—; R^(z) represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R^(x) represents C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A² and A³, respectively); R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) independently represent hydrogen, halo, —CN, —OR¹⁰, —N(R¹¹)(R¹²) or C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms); A¹, A², A³ and A⁴ independently represent halo, —CN, —OR¹⁰, —S(O)₀₋₂C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents), heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from C₁₋₃ alkyl and halo), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from B¹ and B², respectively); each R¹ and R¹⁰ independently represent hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, C₁₋₃ alkyl and —O—C₁₋₃ alkyl); R¹¹ and R¹² independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; B¹ and B² independently represent halo (e.g. chloro or fluoro), —CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms), —OH or —O—C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with the proviso that the compound is not:


2. A compound of claim 1, wherein formula I represents:

wherein: Y represents:

(ii) —CF₃; or (iii) C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclopropyl); N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) independently represent —N═ or —C(H)═ but wherein only a maximum of three of N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) may represent —N═; n represents 0, 1 or 2 (but preferably represents 0); X¹ and X² independently represent —N— or —C(H)—; when X¹ represents —N—, Q¹ represents a direct bond, —C(O)— or —S(O)₂—; when X¹ represents —C(H)—, Q¹ represents a direct bond or —N(R^(z))—; R^(z) represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R^(x) represents C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A² and A³, respectively); R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) independently represent hydrogen, halo, —CN, —OR¹⁰, —N(R¹¹)(R¹²) or C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms); A¹, A², A³ and A⁴ independently represent halo, —CN, —OR¹, —S(O)₀₋₂C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents), heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from C₁₋₃ alkyl and halo), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from B¹ and B², respectively); each R¹ and R¹⁰ independently represent hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, C₁₋₃ alkyl and —O—C₁₋₃ alkyl); R¹¹ and R¹² independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; B¹ and B² independently represent halo (e.g. chloro or fluoro), —CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms), —OH or —O—C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. A compound of claim 1 wherein the following substructure of formula I:

is one in which, preferably: none, one or two of N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) (preferably none or one, e.g. N^(x) or N^(y)) represent(s) —N═ and the others represent —C(H)=; when two of N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) represent —N═, then it is preferably N^(w) and N^(y) (so forming a 5-pyrimidinyl group); n represents 0, 1 or 2 (but preferably represents 0 or 1); A⁴ (which may be present on any of the carbon atoms of the phenyl ring, including when N^(x)/N^(y)/N^(z) represents —C(H)=) represents halo (e.g. fluoro), —CN, —OC₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. —OCH₃); most preferably, the above sub-structure represents pyrimidinyl or, preferably, phenyl or, more preferably pyridyl (preferably, 3- or 4-pyridyl), optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A⁴ (e.g. unsubstituted or substituted with one substituent).
 4. A compound claim 1, wherein: A¹ represents halo (e.g. fluoro), —CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl (e.g. C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), aryl (optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one) substituent(s) selected from B¹), heteroaryl (optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one) substituent(s) selected from B²) or —OR¹; when A¹ represents aryl, then it is preferably phenyl optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one) substituent(s) selected from B¹; when A¹ represents aryl substituted by one or more (e.g. one) B¹ substituent(s), then there is at least one (e.g. one) substituent located at the meta-position of the phenyl group; when A¹ represents optionally substituted heteroaryl, it is preferably a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl group preferably containing one, two or three (e.g. one) heteroatom(s) preferably selected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen (e.g. sulfur and/or oxygen), so forming e.g. a thienyl (e.g. 2-thienyl or 3-thienyl) or a furanyl (e.g. 2-furanyl) group; when A¹ represents optionally substituted heteroaryl, then it is optionally substituted by one or two (e.g. one) substituent(s) selected from B².
 5. A compound of claim 1, wherein: B¹ represents halo (e.g. fluoro or chloro), —CN, —OH or C₁₋₃ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo, e.g. fluoro, atoms, so forming e.g. a —CF₃ group); B² preferably represents C₁₋₄ alkyl (e.g. C₁₋₂ alkyl such as methyl); R¹ represents aryl (e.g. unsubstituted phenyl); when Q¹ represents —N(R^(z))—, then R^(x) represents C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹), so forming e.g. —C(O)—C(H)(CH₃)—O-phenyl, R^(z) represents hydrogen; when Q¹ represents a direct bond or —C(O)—, then R^(x) preferably represents: C₁₋₆ alkyl (e.g. acyclic C₁₋₆ alkyl or C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl) optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and/or A¹, and optionally containing one or more (e.g. one) double bond (so forming a C₂₋₆ alkenyl group); or R^(x) represents aryl (e.g. phenyl) optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one or two) substituents selected from A², so forming for e.g. unsubstituted phenyl.
 6. A compound of claim 1, wherein: R¹⁰ represents C₁₋₄ alkyl (e.g. C₁₋₂ alkyl, such as methyl); R¹¹ and R¹² independently represent hydrogen or, preferably, C₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. methyl); either all of R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) represent hydrogen or, more preferably, at least one of R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) (preferably R^(y)) represents a substituent other than hydrogen and the others (preferably R^(y1) and R^(y2)) represents hydrogen (i.e. there is preferably one substituent present on the phenyl ring, preferably in the meta-position); R^(y) represents hydrogen or, preferably, halo (e.g. chloro), —OCH₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —CN or C₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. —CH₃) optionally substituted by one or more fluoro atoms (e.g. —CF₃), and most preferably, R^(y) represents —OCH₃; R^(y1) represents hydrogen, or, when R^(y) represents hydrogen, may represent a substituent selected from —OCH₃ and C₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. methyl); R^(y2) represents hydrogen, or, when R^(y) and R^(y1) represent hydrogen, may represent a substituent selected from halo (e.g. fluoro) and C₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. methyl); R¹ represents hydrogen; A² represents halo (e.g. chloro) or —OR¹ (e.g. —OH).
 7. A compound of claim 1, wherein Y is:


8. A compound of claim 1, wherein: X¹ represents —N— and Q¹ represents a direct bond.
 9. A compound of claim 1, wherein: R^(x) represents C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O or A¹).
 10. A compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 11. A method of treating a patient with a bacterial infection, comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 12. A method of claim 11, wherein the bacterial infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
 13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, as active ingredient, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 14. (canceled)
 15. A method of treatment of a bacterial infection, which method comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 16. A method of treatment of a bacterial infection according to claim 15, wherein the bacterial infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
 17. A compound of formula I:

but wherein: Y represents:

none or one of N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y) and N^(z) (preferably one, e.g. N^(x) or N^(y)) represent(s) —N═ and the others represent —C(H)═; n represents 0 or 1; X¹ and X² independently represent —N— or —C(H)—; when X¹ represents —N—, Q¹ represents a direct bond; when X¹ represents —C(H)—, Q¹ represents a direct bond or —N(R^(z))—; R^(z) represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R^(x) represents C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A² and A³, respectively); R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) independently represent hydrogen, halo, —CN, —OR¹⁰, —N(R¹¹)(R¹²) or C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms); A¹, A², A³ and A⁴ independently represent halo, —CN, —OR¹, —S(O)₀₋₂C₁₋₃alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents), heterocycloalkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from C₁₋₃ alkyl and halo), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from B¹ and B², respectively); each R¹ and R¹⁰ independently represent hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, C₁₋₃ alkyl and —O—C₁₋₃ alkyl); R¹¹ and R¹² independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; B¹ and B² independently represent halo (e.g. chloro or fluoro), —CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms), —OH or —O—C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with the proviso that the compound is not:


18. The compound according to claim 17 wherein: X¹ represents —N—; X² represent —C(H)—; R^(x) represents C₁₋₆ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from ═O and A¹); A⁴ (which is preferably present on a carbon atom of the phenyl ring, and is preferably in the para-position) represents halo (e.g. fluoro), —CN or —OC₁₋₃ alkyl (e.g. —OCH₃); A¹ represents halo (e.g. fluoro), —CN, C₁₋₆ alkyl or —OR¹; either all of R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) represent hydrogen or, more preferably, at least one of R^(y), R^(y1) and R^(y2) (preferably R^(y)) represents a substituent other than hydrogen and the others (preferably R^(y1) and R^(y2)) represents hydrogen (i.e. there is preferably one substituent present on the phenyl ring, preferably in the meta-position); when R^(y) is other than hydrogen, it preferably represents halo (e.g. chloro), —OCH₃ or —CN; and/or R¹ represents hydrogen.
 19. The compound according to claim 17 wherein the compound is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 20. A combination of (a) a compound as defined in claim 1, and (b) one or more other antibacterial agents.
 21. (canceled)
 22. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1, 2, 17, 18 or 19, in which (where applicable) Y represents the N^(v) to N^(z)-containing ring, which process comprises: (i) for compounds of formula I in which X¹ represents —N—, reaction of a compound of formula II,

wherein N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y), N^(z), X², R^(y), R^(y1), R^(y2), A⁴ and n are as defined in claim 1, with: (a) a compound of formula III, L¹-Q¹-R^(X)  III wherein L¹ represents a suitable leaving group; (b) for compounds of formula I in which Q¹ represents a direct bond and R^(x) represents a group attached to Q¹ with a —CH₂—R^(xx) moiety (in which, collectively, this group represents the R^(x) moiety), reaction with a compound of formula IV, O═C(H)(R^(xx))  IV wherein R^(XX) represents a part of the R^(x) moiety (R^(x) being defined in claim 1); (ii) for compounds of formula I in which the requisite pyrimidine is attached to X² in which X² represents —N—, reaction of a compound of formula V,

wherein L² represents a suitable leaving group, with a compound of formula VI

wherein X¹, Q¹ and R^(x) are as defined in claim 1; (iii) for compounds in which there is a —CH₂— moiety present, reduction of a corresponding compound in which there is a —C(O)— moiety present; (iv) reaction with a compound of formula VII,

wherein L³ represents a suitable leaving group, and the integers R^(y), R^(y1), R^(y2), Q¹, R^(x), X¹ and X² are as defined in claim 1, with a compound of formula VIII,

or a derivative thereof, in which the integers N^(v), N^(w), N^(x), N^(y), N^(z), A⁴ and n are as hereinbefore defined; (i) for compounds containing a —C(F)₂— moiety, reaction of a corresponding compound containing a —C(O)-moiety, by reaction with an appropriate “fluoride” reagent. 